10-Q 1 a1q1410q.htm 10-Q 1Q14 10Q


 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
þ
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission File Number: 333-185443
________________________________________________________________________
 Aleris Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
________________________________________________________________________
Delaware
 
27-1539594
(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
25825 Science Park Drive, Suite 400
Cleveland, Ohio 44122-7392
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(216) 910-3400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
________________________________________________________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ¨  No  þ
(Note: Registrant is a voluntary filer of reports required to be filed by certain companies under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and has filed all reports that would have been required during the preceding 12 months, had it been subject to such filing requirements.)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes þ    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
¨ 
 
Accelerated filer
¨
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
þ
(Do not check if smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes þ    No¨
There were 31,245,325 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of March 31, 2014.
 



ALERIS CORPORATION
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
March 31, 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page No.
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements:
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
 
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.
Other Information
Item 6.
Exhibits
Signatures


















2


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
ALERIS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(UNAUDITED)
(in millions, except share and per share data)

ASSETS

March 31, 2014

December 31, 2013
Current Assets






Cash and cash equivalents

$
51.3


$
60.1

Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $9.8 and $7.7 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)

460.1


376.9

Inventories

693.7


683.4

Deferred income taxes

7.1


7.1

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

28.6


31.5

Total Current Assets

1,240.8


1,159.0

Property, plant and equipment, net

1,144.5


1,157.7

Intangible assets, net

43.0


43.5

Deferred income taxes

45.2


45.2

Other long-term assets

65.9


67.5

Total Assets

$
2,539.4


$
2,472.9






LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY




Current Liabilities




Accounts payable

$
381.3


$
303.2

Accrued liabilities

197.2


200.9

Deferred income taxes

3.9


3.9

Current portion of long-term debt

10.1


8.3

Total Current Liabilities

592.5


516.3

Long-term debt

1,238.2


1,229.1

Deferred income taxes

4.8


4.4

Accrued pension benefits

226.8


228.5

Accrued postretirement benefits

40.7


40.9

Other long-term liabilities

77.6


79.3

Total Long-Term Liabilities

1,588.1


1,582.2

Redeemable noncontrolling interest
 
5.6

 
5.7

Stockholders’ Equity




Common stock; par value $.01; 45,000,000 shares authorized and 31,245,325 and 31,229,064 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively

0.3


0.3

Preferred stock; par value $.01; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
 

 

Additional paid-in capital

405.9


401.9

Retained deficit

(65.3
)

(47.6
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income

11.7


13.8

Total Aleris Corporation Equity

352.6


368.4

Noncontrolling interest

0.6


0.3

Total Equity

353.2


368.7

Total Liabilities and Equity

$
2,539.4


$
2,472.9


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.



3


ALERIS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(UNAUDITED)
(in millions, except per share data)
 


For the three months ended
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
Revenues

$
1,054.2


$
1,110.1

Cost of sales

979.1


1,021.1

Gross profit

75.1


89.0

Selling, general and administrative expenses

61.9


61.6

Restructuring charges
 
0.5

 
0.9

Gains on derivative financial instruments

(0.5
)

(9.1
)
Other operating expense (income), net

0.3


(1.1
)
Operating income

12.9


36.7

Interest expense, net

26.3


21.0

Other income, net

(0.4
)

(1.9
)
(Loss) income before income taxes

(13.0
)

17.6

Provision for income taxes

4.3


6.3

Net (loss) income

(17.3
)

11.3

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

0.3


0.4

Net (loss) income attributable to Aleris Corporation

$
(17.6
)

$
10.9








Comprehensive loss

$
(19.3
)

$
(5.4
)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

0.3


0.4

Comprehensive loss attributable to Aleris Corporation

$
(19.6
)

$
(5.8
)




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.



4


ALERIS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(in millions)
 
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
Operating activities
 



Net (loss) income
 
$
(17.3
)
 
$
11.3

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
 



Depreciation and amortization
 
33.2


27.2

Provision for deferred income taxes
 
0.5


1.0

Stock-based compensation expense
 
4.2


2.7

Unrealized losses (gains) on derivative financial instruments
 
9.3


(10.3
)
Currency exchange losses on debt
 
0.3


0.4

Amortization of debt issuance costs
 
2.0


1.9

Other
 
1.1


(2.1
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 



Change in accounts receivable
 
(83.5
)

(105.5
)
Change in inventories
 
(11.1
)

(14.1
)
Change in other assets
 
2.3


(12.0
)
Change in accounts payable
 
90.3


52.2

Change in accrued liabilities
 
(3.5
)

(8.3
)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
 
27.8


(55.6
)
Investing activities
 



Payments for property, plant and equipment
 
(47.5
)

(96.9
)
Other
 
0.5


1.6

Net cash used by investing activities
 
(47.0
)

(95.3
)
Financing activities
 



Proceeds from the ABL facility
 
40.0

 

Payments on the ABL facility
 
(30.0
)
 

Proceeds from the Zhenjiang term loans
 

 
0.2

Net proceeds from other long-term debt
 
0.7


0.6

Other
 
(0.3
)

(2.3
)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
 
10.4


(1.5
)
Effect of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents
 


(1.2
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
 
(8.8
)

(153.6
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
60.1


592.9

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
51.3


$
439.3






The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.



5



ALERIS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
(amounts in millions, except share and per share data)





1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The operating results for interim periods contained herein are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Aleris Corporation and all of its subsidiaries (collectively, except where the context otherwise requires, referred to as “Aleris,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “Company” or similar terms). Aleris Corporation is a holding company and currently conducts its business and operations through its direct wholly owned subsidiary, Aleris International, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Aleris International, Inc. is referred to herein as “Aleris International.”
2. INVENTORIES
The components of our “Inventories” as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows: 
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Finished goods
 
$
196.1

 
$
185.6

Raw materials
 
248.5

 
265.9

Work in process
 
218.4

 
203.0

Supplies
 
30.7

 
28.9

Total inventories
 
$
693.7

 
$
683.4

3. LONG-TERM DEBT
Our debt as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is summarized as follows:
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
ABL facility
 
$
10.0

 
$

7 5/8% senior notes due 2018, net of discount of $5.5 and $5.9 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively
 
494.5

 
494.1

7 7/8% senior notes due 2020, net of discount of $7.2 and $7.5 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively
 
492.8

 
492.5

Exchangeable notes, net of discount of $0.6 and $0.7 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively
 
44.2

 
44.2

Zhenjiang term loans, net of discount of $1.0 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013
 
190.8

 
192.2

Other
 
16.0

 
14.4

Total debt
 
1,248.3

 
1,237.4

Less: Current portion of long-term debt
 
10.1

 
8.3

Total long-term debt
 
$
1,238.2

 
$
1,229.1

4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Environmental Proceedings
Our operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations governing air emissions, wastewater discharges, the handling, disposal and remediation of hazardous substances and wastes and employee health and safety. These laws can impose joint and several liabilities for releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances upon statutorily defined parties, including us, regardless of fault or the lawfulness of the original activity or disposal. Given the changing nature of



6



ALERIS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (CONTINUED)
(amounts in millions, except share and per share data)



environmental legal requirements, we may be required, from time to time, to take environmental control measures at some of our facilities to meet future requirements.
We have been named as a potentially responsible party in certain proceedings initiated pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and similar stated statutes and may be named a potentially responsible party in other similar proceedings in the future. It is not anticipated that the costs incurred in connection with the presently pending proceedings will, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
We are performing operations and maintenance at two Superfund sites for matters arising out of past waste disposal activity associated with closed facilities. We are also under orders to perform environmental remediation by agencies in four states and one non-U.S. country at seven sites.
Our reserves for environmental remediation liabilities totaled $35.0 and $35.3 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and have been classified as “Other long-term liabilities” and “Accrued liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Of the environmental liabilities recorded at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, $6.0 and $6.3, respectively, are indemnified by Corus Group Ltd.
In addition to environmental liabilities, we have recorded asset retirement obligations associated with legal requirements related primarily to the normal operation of our landfills and the retirement of the related assets. Our total asset retirement obligations were $12.4 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The amounts represent the most probable costs of remedial actions. We estimate the costs related to currently identified remedial actions will be paid out primarily over the next 10 years.
Legal Proceedings
We are party to routine litigation and proceedings as part of the ordinary course of business and do not believe that the outcome of any existing proceedings would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We have established accruals for those loss contingencies, including litigation and environmental contingencies, for which it has been determined that a loss is probable; none of such loss contingencies is material. For those loss contingencies, including litigation and environmental contingencies, which have been determined to be reasonably possible, an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss cannot be determined because the claims, amount claimed, facts or legal status are not sufficiently developed or advanced in order to make such a determination. While we cannot estimate the loss or range of loss at this time, we do not believe that the outcome of any of these existing proceedings would be material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
5. STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
The following table summarizes the activity within stockholders’ equity and redeemable noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
 
 
Aleris Corporation equity
 
Noncontrolling interest
 
Total equity
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
Total equity at January 1, 2014
 
$
368.4

 
$
0.3

 
$
368.7

 
$
5.7

Net (loss) income
 
(17.6
)
 
0.3

 
(17.3
)
 

Other comprehensive loss
 
(2.1
)
 

 
(2.1
)
 

Stock-based compensation activity
 
3.9

 

 
3.9

 

Other
 

 

 

 
(0.1
)
Total equity at March 31, 2014
 
$
352.6

 
$
0.6

 
$
353.2

 
$
5.6





7



ALERIS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (CONTINUED)
(amounts in millions, except share and per share data)



The following table shows changes in the number of our outstanding shares of common stock:
 
 
Outstanding shares of common stock
Balance at January 1, 2014
 
31,229,064

Issuance associated with options exercised
 
3,434

Issuance associated with vested restricted stock units
 
11,620

Issuance upon conversion of exchangeable notes
 
1,207

Balance at March 31, 2014
 
31,245,325

6. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The following table summarizes the activity within accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
 
 
Currency translation
 
Pension and other postretirement
 
Total
Balance at January 1, 2014
 
$
45.8

 
$
(32.0
)
 
$
13.8

Current period currency translation adjustments
 
(2.3
)
 

 
(2.3
)
Amortization of net actuarial losses
 

 
0.2

 
0.2

Balance at March 31, 2014
 
$
43.5

 
$
(31.8
)
 
$
11.7

A summary of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is provided below:
Description of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income
 
Amount reclassified
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit items:
 
 
 
Amortization of net actuarial losses before tax
 
$
(0.2
)
(a)
Losses reclassified into earnings, net of tax
 
$
(0.2
)
 
(a) This component of accumulated other comprehensive income is included in the computation of net periodic benefit expense and net postretirement benefit expense (see Note 10, “Employee Benefit Plans,” for additional detail).
7. SEGMENT INFORMATION
We report six operating segments based on the organizational structure that is used by the chief operating decision maker to evaluate performance, make decisions on resource allocation and for which discrete financial information is available.
The Company’s operating segments are:
Rolled Products North America (“RPNA”);
Rolled Products Europe (“RPEU”);
Rolled Products Asia Pacific (“RPAP”);
Extrusions;
Recycling and Specification Alloys North America (“RSAA”); and
Recycling and Specification Alloys Europe (“RSEU”).
Measurement of Segment Income or Loss and Segment Assets
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2013. Our measure of profitability for our operating segments is referred to as segment income and loss. Segment income and loss includes gross



8



ALERIS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (CONTINUED)
(amounts in millions, except share and per share data)



profits, segment specific realized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments, segment specific other income and expense, segment specific selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense and an allocation of certain regional and global functional SG&A expenses. Segment income and loss excludes provisions for and benefits from income taxes, restructuring items, interest, depreciation and amortization, unrealized and certain realized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments, corporate general and administrative costs, start-up expenses, gains and losses on asset sales, currency exchange gains and losses on debt and certain other gains and losses. Intersegment sales and transfers are recorded at market value. Consolidated cash, net capitalized debt costs, deferred tax assets and assets related to our headquarters offices are not allocated to the segments.
Reportable Segment Information
The following table shows our revenues and segment income (loss) for the periods presented in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss:
Three months ended March 31, 2014
 
RPNA
 
RPEU
 
RPAP
 
Extrusions
 
RSAA
 
RSEU
 
Intersegment Revenues
 
Total
Revenues to external customers
 
$
260.9

 
$
323.2

 
$
6.9

 
$
91.4

 
$
233.7

 
$
138.1

 
 
 
$
1,054.2

Intersegment revenues
 
0.4

 
31.6

 
3.1

 
1.9

 
1.5

 
5.2

 
$
(43.7
)
 

Total revenues
 
$
261.3

 
$
354.8

 
$
10.0

 
$
93.3

 
$
235.2

 
$
143.3

 
$
(43.7
)
 
$
1,054.2

Segment income
 
$
26.9

 
$
38.1

 
$

 
$
3.0

 
$
9.0

 
$
4.3

 
 
 
$
81.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2013
 
RPNA
 
RPEU
 
RPAP
 
Extrusions
 
RSAA
 
RSEU
 
Intersegment Revenues
 
Total
Revenues to external customers
 
$
313.7

 
$
327.0

 
$
0.7

 
$
86.7

 
$
236.2

 
$
145.8

 
 
 
$
1,110.1

Intersegment revenues
 
0.6

 
42.2

 

 
2.3

 
2.2

 
9.9

 
$
(57.2
)
 

Total revenues
 
$
314.3

 
$
369.2

 
$
0.7

 
$
89.0

 
$
238.4

 
$
155.7

 
$
(57.2
)
 
$
1,110.1

Segment income (loss)
 
$
23.5

 
$
38.5

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
3.0

 
$
10.4

 
$
3.3

 
 
 
$
78.4

The following table reconciles total segment income to “(Loss) income before income taxes” as reported in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss:
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
Total segment income
 
$
81.3

 
$
78.4

Unallocated amounts:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
(33.2
)
 
(27.2
)
Corporate general and administrative expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization, start-up expenses and other expenses
 
(15.0
)
 
(11.3
)
Restructuring charges
 
(0.5
)
 
(0.9
)
Interest expense, net
 
(26.3
)
 
(21.0
)
Unallocated (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments
 
(9.3
)
 
10.2

Unallocated currency exchange losses
 
(1.5
)
 

Start-up expenses
 
(8.4
)
 
(11.4
)
Other (expense) income, net
 
(0.1
)
 
0.8

(Loss) income before income taxes
 
$
(13.0
)
 
$
17.6




9



ALERIS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (CONTINUED)
(amounts in millions, except share and per share data)



The following table shows our reportable segment assets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Assets
 
 
 
 
RPNA
 
$
553.0

 
$
524.7

RPEU
 
719.6

 
699.2

RPAP
 
428.9

 
439.4

Extrusions
 
153.7

 
141.8

RSAA
 
310.4

 
294.5

RSEU
 
198.1

 
183.7

Unallocated assets
 
175.7

 
189.6

Total consolidated assets
 
$
2,539.4

 
$
2,472.9

8. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
On June 1, 2010, the Board of Directors of Aleris Corporation (the “Board”) approved the Aleris Corporation 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, which has been amended from time to time (the “2010 Equity Plan”). Stock options, restricted stock units and restricted shares have been granted under the 2010 Equity Plan to certain members of management of the Company and non-employee directors. All stock options granted have a life not to exceed ten years and generally vest over a period not to exceed four years. Shares of common stock are issued upon stock option exercises from available shares. The restricted stock units and restricted shares also vest over a period not to exceed four years. A portion of the stock options, as well as a portion of the restricted stock units and restricted shares, may vest upon a change in control event should the event occur prior to full vesting of these awards, depending on the amount of vesting that has already occurred at the time of the event in comparison to the change in our largest stockholders’ overall level of beneficial ownership that results from the event.
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we granted 992,533 stock options and 334,456 restricted stock units to certain members of our senior management and non-employee directors. We recorded compensation expense associated with stock options, restricted stock units and restricted shares of $4.2 and $2.7 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
9. INCOME TAXES
Our effective tax rates were (33.1)% and 36.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 differed from the federal statutory rate applied to income and losses before income taxes primarily as a result of the mix of income, losses and tax rates between tax jurisdictions and valuation allowances.
We have valuation allowances recorded to reduce certain deferred tax assets to amounts that are more likely than not to be realized. The valuation allowances relate to the potential inability to realize our deferred tax assets associated with amortization and net operating loss carryforwards in the U.S. and depreciation and net operating loss carryforwards in non-U.S. jurisdictions. We intend to maintain our valuation allowances until sufficient positive evidence exists (such as cumulative positive earnings and estimated future taxable income) to support their reversal.
As of March 31, 2014, we had $2.8 of unrecognized tax benefits. The majority of the gross unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect our annual effective tax rate. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions within the “Provision for income taxes” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. As of March 31, 2014, we had approximately $0.2 of accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions.
The 2009 through 2013 tax years remain open to examination. During the first quarter of 2013, the IRS commenced an examination of our tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 that is anticipated to be completed within three months of the reporting date. During the fourth quarter of 2013, a non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction commenced an examination of our tax returns for the tax years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009 that is anticipated to be completed within nine months of the reporting date.



10



ALERIS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (CONTINUED)
(amounts in millions, except share and per share data)



10. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
The components of the net periodic benefit expense are as follows:
 
 
U.S. pension benefits
 
Non-U.S. pension benefits
 
 
for the three months ended
 
for the three months ended
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
Service cost
 
$
0.8

 
$
0.9

 
$
1.0

 
$
1.0

Interest cost
 
1.8

 
1.6

 
1.9

 
1.7

Amortization of net actuarial losses
 

 
0.4

 
0.3

 
0.4

Expected return on plan assets
 
(2.6
)
 
(2.3
)
 

 

Net periodic benefit expense
 
$

 
$
0.6

 
$
3.2

 
$
3.1


Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
The components of net postretirement benefit expense are as follows:
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
Service cost
 
$

 
$
0.1

Interest cost
 
0.5

 
0.4

Amortization of net actuarial (gains) losses
 
(0.1
)
 
0.1

Net postretirement benefit expense
 
$
0.4

 
$
0.6

11. DERIVATIVE AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
We use forward contracts and options, as well as contractual price escalators, to reduce the risks associated with our metal, natural gas and other supply requirements and certain currency exposures. Generally, we enter into master netting arrangements with our counterparties and offset net derivative positions with the same counterparties against amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral under those arrangements in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. For classification purposes, we record the net fair value of each type of derivative position that is expected to settle in less than one year with each counterparty as a net current asset or liability and each type of long-term position as a net long-term asset or liability. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, no cash collateral was posted. The amounts shown in the table below represent the gross amounts of recognized assets and liabilities, the amounts offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the net amounts of assets and liabilities presented therein. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were no amounts subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement that have not been offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
 
 
Fair Value of Derivatives as of
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Derivatives by Type
 
Asset
 
Liability
 
Asset
 
Liability
Metal
 
$
7.0

 
$
(20.3
)
 
$
13.3

 
$
(17.0
)
Natural gas
 
0.6

 

 
0.4

 

Total
 
7.6

 
(20.3
)
 
13.7

 
(17.0
)
Effect of counterparty netting
 
(6.9
)
 
6.9

 
(12.3
)
 
12.3

Net derivatives as classified in the balance sheet
 
$
0.7

 
$
(13.4
)
 
$
1.4

 
$
(4.7
)



11



ALERIS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (CONTINUED)
(amounts in millions, except share and per share data)



     The fair value of our derivative financial instruments at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as follows: 
Asset Derivatives
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Metal
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$

 
$
1.0

 
 
Other long-term assets
 
0.1

 

Natural gas
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
0.6

 
0.4

Total
 
 
 
$
0.7

 
$
1.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liability Derivatives
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Metal
 
Accrued liabilities
 
$
9.9

 
$
1.7

 
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
3.5

 
3.0

Total
 
 
 
$
13.4

 
$
4.7

Derivative contracts are recorded at fair value under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” using quoted market prices and significant other observable inputs. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates); and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 3—Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
We endeavor to utilize the best available information in measuring fair value. Where appropriate, valuations are adjusted for various factors such as liquidity, bid/offer spreads, and credit considerations. Such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence and unobservable inputs. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following tables set forth our financial assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and the level in the fair value hierarchy:
 
 
Fair value measurements at March 31, 2014 using:
Description
 
Total carrying value
in the Consolidated
Balance Sheet
 
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
other observable
inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
Derivative assets
 
$
7.6

 
$

 
$
7.6

 
$

Derivative liabilities
 
(20.3
)
 

 
(20.3
)
 

Net derivative liabilities
 
$
(12.7
)
 
$

 
$
(12.7
)
 
$




12



ALERIS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (CONTINUED)
(amounts in millions, except share and per share data)



 
 
Fair value measurements at December 31, 2013 using:
Description
 
Total carrying value
in the Consolidated
Balance Sheet
 
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
other observable
inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
Derivative assets
 
$
13.7

 
$

 
$
13.7

 
$

Derivative liabilities
 
(17.0
)
 

 
(17.0
)
 

Net derivative liabilities
 
$
(3.3
)
 
$

 
$
(3.3
)
 
$

Both realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments are included within “Gains on derivative financial instruments” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. Realized (gains) losses on derivative financial instruments totaled the following: 
 
For the three months ended
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
Metal
$
(8.3
)
 
$
0.9

Natural gas
(1.5
)
 
0.2

Metal Hedging
The selling prices of the majority of the orders for our rolled and extruded products are established at the time of order entry or, for certain customers, under long-term contracts. As the related raw materials used to produce these orders are purchased several months or years after the selling prices are fixed, margins are subject to the risk of changes in the purchase price of the raw materials used for these fixed price sales. In order to manage this transactional exposure, LME future or forward purchase contracts are purchased at the time the selling prices are fixed. As metal is purchased to fill these fixed price sales orders, LME future or forward contracts are then sold. We also maintain a significant amount of inventory on-hand to meet anticipated and unpriced future sales. In order to preserve the value of this inventory, LME future or forward contracts are sold at the time inventory is purchased. As sales orders are priced, LME future or forward contracts are purchased. These derivatives generally settle within three months. We can also use call option contracts, which function in a manner similar to the natural gas call option contracts discussed below and put option contracts for managing metal price exposures. Option contracts require the payment of a premium which is recorded as a realized loss upon settlement or expiration of the option contract. Upon settlement of a put option contract, we receive cash and recognize a related gain if the LME closing price is less than the strike price of the put option. If the put option strike price is less than the LME closing price, no amount is paid and the option expires. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had 0.2 metric tons and 0.2 metric tons of metal buy and sell forward contracts, respectively.
Natural Gas Hedging
To manage our price exposure for natural gas purchases, we fix the future price of a portion of our natural gas requirements by entering into financial hedge agreements. Under these agreements, payments are made or received based on the differential between the monthly closing price on the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) and the contractual hedge price. We can use a combination of call option contracts and put option contracts for managing the exposure to increasing prices while maintaining our ability to benefit from declining prices. Upon settlement of call option contracts, we receive cash and recognize a related gain if the NYMEX closing price exceeds the strike price of the call option. If the call option strike price exceeds the NYMEX closing price, no amount is received and the option expires unexercised. Upon settlement of a put option contract, we pay cash and recognize a related loss if the NYMEX closing price is lower than the strike price of the put option. If the put option strike price is less than the NYMEX closing price, no amount is paid and the option expires unexercised. Option contracts require the payment of a premium which is recorded as a realized loss upon settlement or expiration of the option contract. Natural gas cost can also be managed through the use of cost escalators included in some of our long-term supply contracts with customers, which limits exposure to natural gas price risk. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had 1.9 trillion and 2.9 trillion of British thermal unit forward buy contracts, respectively.



13



ALERIS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (CONTINUED)
(amounts in millions, except share and per share data)



Currency Exchange Hedging
From time to time, we may enter into currency forwards, futures, call options and similar derivative financial instruments to limit our exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, no currency call option contracts were outstanding.
Credit Risk
We are exposed to losses in the event of non-performance by the counterparties to the derivative financial instruments discussed above; however, we do not anticipate any non-performance by the counterparties. The counterparties are evaluated for creditworthiness and risk assessment prior to initiating trading activities with the brokers and periodically throughout each year while actively trading.
 Other Financial Instruments
The carrying amount and fair values of our other financial instruments at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows: 
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
51.3

 
$
51.3

 
$
60.1

 
$
60.1

ABL facility
 
10.0

 
10.0

 

 

Exchangeable notes
 
44.2

 
72.7

 
44.2

 
72.7

7 5/8% senior notes
 
494.5

 
516.2

 
494.1

 
530.0

7 7/8% senior notes
 
492.8

 
515.0

 
492.5

 
531.3

Zhenjiang term loans
 
190.8

 
191.8

 
192.2

 
193.2

The following tables set forth our other financial instruments for which fair value is disclosed and the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurements are categorized as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013: 
 
 
Fair value measurements at March 31, 2014 using:
Description
 
Total estimated fair value
 
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
other observable
inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
51.3

 
$
51.3

 
$

 
$

ABL facility
 
10.0

 

 
10.0

 

Exchangeable notes
 
72.7

 

 

 
72.7

7 5/8% senior notes
 
516.2

 
516.2

 

 

7 7/8% senior notes
 
515.0

 
515.0

 

 

Zhenjiang term loans
 
191.8

 

 

 
191.8

 
 
Fair value measurements at December 31, 2013 using:
Description
 
Total estimated fair value
 
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
other observable
inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
60.1

 
$
60.1

 
$

 
$

Exchangeable notes
 
72.7

 

 

 
72.7

7 5/8% senior notes
 
530.0

 
530.0

 

 

7 7/8% senior notes
 
531.3

 
531.3

 

 

Zhenjiang term loans
 
193.2

 

 

 
193.2




14



ALERIS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (CONTINUED)
(amounts in millions, except share and per share data)



The principal amount of the ABL facility approximates fair value because the interest rate paid is variable and there have been no significant changes in the credit risk of Aleris International subsequent to the borrowings. The fair value of Aleris International’s exchangeable notes was estimated using a binomial lattice pricing model based on the fair value of our common stock, a risk-free interest rate of 2.0% as of March 31, 2014 and 2.3% as of December 31, 2013 and expected equity volatility of 55%. Expected equity volatility was determined based on historical stock prices and implied and stated volatilities of our peer companies. The fair values of the 7 5/8% senior notes and the 7 7/8% senior notes were estimated using market quotations. The principal amount of the Zhenjiang term loans approximates fair value because the interest rate paid is variable, is set for periods of six months or less and there have been no significant changes in the credit risk of Aleris Zhenjiang subsequent to the inception of the China loan facility.
12. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On February 9, 2011 and October 23, 2012, Aleris International issued the 7 5/8% senior notes and the 7 7/8% senior notes (collectively, the “Senior Notes”), respectively. Aleris Corporation, the direct parent of Aleris International, and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”) are guarantors of the indebtedness under the Senior Notes. Aleris Corporation and each of the Guarantor Subsidiaries have fully and unconditionally guaranteed (subject, in the case of the Guarantor Subsidiaries, to customary release provisions as described below), on a joint and several basis, to pay principal and interest related to the Senior Notes and Aleris International and each of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are directly or indirectly 100% owned subsidiaries of Aleris Corporation. For purposes of complying with the reporting requirements of Aleris International and the Guarantor Subsidiaries, presented below are condensed consolidating financial statements of Aleris Corporation, Aleris International, the Guarantor Subsidiaries, and those other subsidiaries of Aleris Corporation that are not guaranteeing the indebtedness under the Senior Notes (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”). The condensed consolidating balance sheets are presented as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The condensed consolidating statements of comprehensive (loss) income are presented for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The condensed consolidating statements of cash flows are presented for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
The guarantee of a Guarantor Subsidiary will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged in the event of:
any sale of the Guarantor Subsidiary or of all or substantially all of its assets;
a Guarantor Subsidiary being designated as an “unrestricted subsidiary” in accordance with the indentures governing the Senior Notes;
the release or discharge of a Guarantor Subsidiary from its guarantee under the ABL facility or other indebtedness that resulted in the obligation of the Guarantor Subsidiary under the indentures governing the Senior Notes; and
the requirements for legal defeasance or covenant defeasance or discharge of the indentures governing the Senior Notes having been satisfied.
The condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 have been restated to revise the presentation of cash flows related to intercompany loans. The revisions significantly changed the classification of certain intercompany cash flows as operating, investing and financing activities; however, there was no change in the total net cash flows of Aleris Corporation, Aleris International, Inc. or the Guarantor Subsidiaries. There was no impact to the condensed consolidating statements of comprehensive (loss) income or to the consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 as a result of these presentation changes.



15



ALERIS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (CONTINUED)
(amounts in millions, except share and per share data)



 
 
As of March 31, 2014
 
 
Aleris Corporation (Parent)
 
Aleris International, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
51.4

 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
51.3

Accounts receivable, net
 

 

 
149.7

 
310.4

 

 
460.1

Inventories
 

 

 
263.6

 
430.1

 

 
693.7

Deferred income taxes
 

 

 
0.2

 
6.9

 

 
7.1

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 

 
0.5

 
13.9

 
14.2

 

 
28.6

Intercompany receivables
 

 
481.7

 
463.0

 
215.6

 
(1,160.3
)
 

Total Current Assets
 

 
482.2

 
890.4

 
1,028.6

 
(1,160.4
)
 
1,240.8

Property, plant and equipment, net
 

 

 
370.9

 
773.6

 

 
1,144.5

Intangible assets, net
 

 

 
27.1

 
15.9

 

 
43.0

Deferred income taxes
 

 

 

 
45.2

 

 
45.2

Other long-term assets
 

 
11.4

 
4.2

 
50.3

 

 
65.9

Intercompany receivables
 

 
3.6

 

 

 
(3.6
)
 

Investments in subsidiaries
 
356.2

 
1,491.0

 
118.3

 

 
(1,965.5
)
 

Total Assets
 
$
356.2

 
$
1,988.2

 
$
1,410.9

 
$
1,913.6

 
$
(3,129.5
)
 
$
2,539.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$

 
$
2.0

 
$
147.2

 
$
232.2

 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
381.3

Accrued liabilities
 

 
21.3

 
65.2

 
110.7

 

 
197.2

Deferred income taxes
 

 

 

 
3.9

 

 
3.9

Current portion of long-term debt
 

 

 
0.5

 
9.6

 

 
10.1

Intercompany payables
 

 
561.6

 
488.0

 
110.7

 
(1,160.3
)
 

Total Current Liabilities
 

 
584.9

 
700.9

 
467.1

 
(1,160.4
)
 
592.5

Long-term debt
 

 
1,041.5

 
0.7

 
196.0

 

 
1,238.2

Deferred income taxes
 

 

 
0.2

 
4.6

 

 
4.8

Accrued pension benefits
 

 

 
31.5

 
195.3

 

 
226.8

Accrued postretirement benefits
 

 

 
40.7

 

 

 
40.7

Other long-term liabilities
 

 

 
32.8

 
44.8

 

 
77.6

Intercompany payables
 
3.6

 

 

 

 
(3.6
)
 

Total Long-Term Liabilities
 
3.6

 
1,041.5

 
105.9

 
440.7

 
(3.6
)
 
1,588.1

Redeemable noncontrolling interest
 

 
5.6

 

 

 

 
5.6

Total equity
 
352.6

 
356.2

 
604.1

 
1,005.2

 
(1,965.5
)
 
352.6

Noncontrolling interest
 

 

 

 
0.6

 

 
0.6

Total Liabilities and Equity
 
$
356.2

 
$
1,988.2

 
$
1,410.9

 
$
1,913.6

 
$
(3,129.5
)
 
$
2,539.4




16



ALERIS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (CONTINUED)
(amounts in millions, except share and per share data)



 
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
 
Aleris Corporation (Parent)
 
Aleris International, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$

 
$
3.7

 
$

 
$
58.9

 
$
(2.5
)
 
$
60.1

Accounts receivable, net
 

 

 
125.7

 
251.2

 

 
376.9

Inventories
 

 

 
245.1

 
438.3

 

 
683.4

Deferred income taxes
 

 

 
0.2

 
6.9

 

 
7.1

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 

 
0.5

 
16.1

 
14.9

 

 
31.5

Intercompany receivables
 

 
362.4

 
378.3

 
192.4

 
(933.1
)
 

Total Current Assets
 

 
366.6

 
765.4

 
962.6

 
(935.6
)
 
1,159.0

Property, plant and equipment, net
 

 

 
377.8

 
779.9

 

 
1,157.7

Intangible assets, net
 

 

 
27.6

 
15.9

 

 
43.5

Deferred income taxes
 

 

 

 
45.2

 

 
45.2

Other long-term assets
 

 
12.3

 
3.3

 
51.9

 

 
67.5

Intercompany receivables
 

 
3.4

 

 

 
(3.4
)
 

Investments in subsidiaries
 
371.8

 
1,510.6

 
117.7

 

 
(2,000.1
)
 

Total Assets
 
$
371.8

 
$
1,892.9

 
$
1,291.8

 
$
1,855.5

 
$
(2,939.1
)
 
$
2,472.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$

 
$
0.4

 
$
117.1

 
$
188.2

 
$
(2.5
)
 
$
303.2

Accrued liabilities
 

 
21.7

 
67.0

 
112.2

 

 
200.9

Deferred income taxes
 

 

 

 
3.9

 

 
3.9

Current portion of long-term debt
 

 

 
0.5

 
7.8

 

 
8.3

Intercompany payables
 

 
462.4

 
371.7

 
99.0

 
(933.1
)
 

Total Current Liabilities
 

 
484.5

 
556.3

 
411.1

 
(935.6
)
 
516.3

Long-term debt
 

 
1,030.9

 
0.8

 
197.4

 

 
1,229.1

Deferred income taxes
 

 

 
0.2

 
4.2

 

 
4.4

Accrued pension benefits
 

 

 
33.8

 
194.7

 

 
228.5

Accrued postretirement benefits
 

 

 
40.9

 

 

 
40.9

Other long-term liabilities
 

 

 
32.7

 
46.6

 

 
79.3

Intercompany payables
 
3.4

 

 

 

 
(3.4
)
 

Total Long-Term Liabilities
 
3.4

 
1,030.9

 
108.4

 
442.9


(3.4
)
 
1,582.2

Redeemable noncontrolling interest
 

 
5.7

 

 

 

 
5.7

Total equity
 
368.4

 
371.8

 
627.1

 
1,001.2

 
(2,000.1
)
 
368.4

Noncontrolling interest
 

 

 

 
0.3

 

 
0.3

Total Liabilities and Equity
 
$
371.8

 
$
1,892.9

 
$
1,291.8

 
$
1,855.5

 
$
(2,939.1
)
 
$
2,472.9

















17



ALERIS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (CONTINUED)
(amounts in millions, except share and per share data)



 
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2014
 
 
Aleris Corporation (Parent)
 
Aleris International, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenues
 
$

 
$

 
$
439.7

 
$
617.5

 
$
(3.0
)
 
$
1,054.2

Cost of sales
 

 

 
416.9

 
565.2

 
(3.0
)
 
979.1

Gross profit
 

 

 
22.8

 
52.3

 

 
75.1

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 

 

 
30.2

 
31.7

 

 
61.9

Restructuring charges (gains)
 

 

 
0.7

 
(0.2
)
 

 
0.5

(Gains) losses on derivative financial instruments
 

 

 
(3.7
)
 
3.2

 

 
(0.5
)
Other operating expense (income), net
 

 

 
0.5

 
(0.2
)
 

 
0.3

Operating (loss) income
 

 

 
(4.9
)
 
17.8

 

 
12.9

Interest expense, net
 

 

 
22.3

 
4.0

 

 
26.3

Other (income) expense, net
 

 

 
(3.7
)
 
3.3

 

 
(0.4
)
Equity in net loss (earnings) of affiliates
 
17.6

 
17.6

 
(0.6
)
 

 
(34.6
)
 

(Loss) income before income taxes
 
(17.6
)
 
(17.6
)
 
(22.9
)
 
10.5

 
34.6

 
(13.0
)
Provision for income taxes
 

 

 

 
4.3

 

 
4.3

Net (loss) income
 
(17.6
)
 
(17.6
)
 
(22.9
)
 
6.2

 
34.6

 
(17.3
)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

 

 

 
0.3

 

 
0.3

Net (loss) income attributable to Aleris Corporation
 
$
(17.6
)
 
$
(17.6
)
 
$
(22.9
)
 
$
5.9

 
$
34.6

 
$
(17.6
)
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Comprehensive (loss) income
 
$
(19.6
)
 
$
(19.6
)
 
$
(23.0
)
 
$
4.3

 
$
38.6

 
$
(19.3
)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

 

 

 
0.3

 

 
0.3

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Aleris Corporation
 
$
(19.6
)
 
$
(19.6
)
 
$
(23.0
)
 
$
4.0

 
$
38.6

 
$
(19.6
)

 
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2013
 
 
Aleris Corporation (Parent)
 
Aleris International, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenues
 
$

 
$

 
$
507.9

 
$
603.9

 
$
(1.7
)
 
$
1,110.1

Cost of sales
 

 

 
475.4

 
547.4

 
(1.7
)
 
1,021.1

Gross profit
 

 

 
32.5

 
56.5

 

 
89.0

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 

 

 
27.9

 
33.7

 

 
61.6

Restructuring charges (gains)
 

 

 
1.2

 
(0.3
)
 

 
0.9

Gains on derivative financial instruments
 

 

 
(8.5
)
 
(0.6
)
 

 
(9.1
)
Other operating expense, net
 

 

 

 
(1.1
)
 

 
(1.1
)
Operating income
 

 

 
11.9

 
24.8

 

 
36.7

Interest expense (income), net
 

 

 
22.1

 
(1.1
)
 

 
21.0

Other income, net
 

 

 
(0.8
)
 
(1.1
)
 

 
(1.9
)
Equity in net earnings of affiliates
 
(10.9
)
 
(10.9
)
 
(0.5
)
 

 
22.3

 

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
10.9

 
10.9

 
(8.9
)
 
27.0

 
(22.3
)
 
17.6

Provision for income taxes
 

 

 

 
6.3

 

 
6.3

Net income (loss)
 
10.9

 
10.9

 
(8.9
)
 
20.7

 
(22.3
)
 
11.3

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

 

 

 
0.4

 

 
0.4

Net income (loss) attributable to Aleris Corporation
 
$
10.9

 
$
10.9

 
$
(8.9
)
 
$
20.3

 
$
(22.3
)
 
$
10.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive (loss) income
 
$
(5.8
)
 
$
(5.8
)
 
$
(7.9
)
 
$
3.6

 
$
10.5

 
$
(5.4
)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

 

 

 
0.4

 

 
0.4

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Aleris Corporation
 
$
(5.8
)
 
$
(5.8
)
 
$
(7.9
)
 
$
3.2

 
$
10.5

 
$
(5.8
)




18



ALERIS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (CONTINUED)
(amounts in millions, except share and per share data)



 
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2014
 
 
Aleris Corporation (Parent)
 
Aleris International, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
 
$
0.2

 
$
(18.6
)
 
$
19.2

 
$
24.6

 
$
2.4

 
$
27.8

Investing activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payments for property, plant and equipment
 

 

 
(19.0
)
 
(28.5
)
 

 
(47.5
)
Disbursements of intercompany loans
 

 
(15.0
)
 
(2.2
)
 
(15.0
)
 
32.2

 

Repayments from intercompany loans
 

 
5.0

 
2.5

 

 
(7.5
)
 

Other
 

 

 
(0.3
)
 
0.8

 

 
0.5

Net cash used by investing activities
 

 
(10.0
)
 
(19.0
)
 
(42.7
)
 
24.7

 
(47.0
)
Financing activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from the ABL facility
 

 
25.0

 

 
15.0

 

 
40.0

Payments on the ABL facility
 

 
(15.0
)
 

 
(15.0
)
 

 
(30.0
)
Net (payments on) proceeds from other long-term debt
 

 

 
(0.2
)
 
0.9

 

 
0.7

Proceeds from intercompany loans
 

 
15.0

 

 
17.2

 
(32.2
)
 

Repayments on intercompany loans
 

 

 

 
(7.5
)
 
7.5

 

Other
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.1
)
 

 

 

 
(0.3
)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities
 
(0.2
)
 
24.9

 
(0.2
)
 
10.6

 
(24.7
)
 
10.4

Effect of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents
 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
 

 
(3.7
)
 

 
(7.5
)
 
2.4

 
(8.8
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 

 
3.7

 

 
58.9

 
(2.5
)
 
60.1

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
51.4

 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
51.3

 
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2013
 
 
Aleris Corporation (Parent)
 
Aleris International, Inc.
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
 
$
2.0

 
$
(38.2
)
 
$
38.6

 
$
(57.5
)
 
$
(0.5
)
 
$
(55.6
)
Investing activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payments for property, plant and equipment
 

 

 
(19.6
)
 
(77.3
)
 

 
(96.9
)
Disbursements of intercompany loans
 

 

 
(24.6
)
 

 
24.6

 

Repayments from intercompany loans
 

 

 
5.5

 

 
(5.5
)
 

Equity contributions in subsidiaries
 

 
(60.0
)
 
(3.1
)
 

 
63.1

 

Other
 

 

 
0.1

 
1.5

 

 
1.6

Net cash used by investing activities
 

 
(60.0
)
 
(41.7
)
 
(75.8
)
 
82.2

 
(95.3
)
Financing activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from Zhenjiang term loans
 

 

 

 
0.2

 

 
0.2

Net proceeds from other long-term debt
 

 

 

 
0.6

 

 
0.6

Proceeds from intercompany loans
 

 

 

 
24.6

 
(24.6
)
 

Repayments on intercompany loans
 

 

 

 
(5.5
)
 
5.5

 

Proceeds from intercompany equity contributions
 

 

 
3.1

 
60.0

 
(63.1
)
 

Other
 
(2.0
)
 
(0.3
)
 

 

 

 
(2.3
)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities
 
(2.0
)
 
(0.3
)
 
3.1

 
79.9

 
(82.2
)
 
(1.5
)
Effect of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents
 

 

 

 
(1.2
)
 

 
(1.2
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
 

 
(98.5
)
 

 
(54.6
)
 
(0.5
)
 
(153.6
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 

 
472.4

 

 
121.6

 
(1.1
)
 
592.9

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$

 
$
373.9

 
$

 
$
67.0

 
$
(1.6
)
 
$
439.3





19



ALERIS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (CONTINUED)
(amounts in millions, except share and per share data)



13. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On April 1, 2014, we acquired Nichols Aluminum, LLC (“Nichols”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Quanex Building Products Corporation, and a producer of aluminum sheet for the transportation, building and construction, machinery and equipment, consumer durables and electrical industries in North America for $110.0. The acquisition includes casting and finishing operations at two facilities in Davenport, Iowa, as well as finishing operations in Decatur, Alabama and Lincolnshire, Illinois.
The acquisition will be accounted for as a business combination, with the purchase price being allocated on a preliminary basis using information available in the second quarter of 2014. The operating results of Nichols will be reported within our RPNA segment from the date of acquisition.

Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of our Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help you understand our operations as well as the industry in which we operate. Our MD&A is designed to provide a narrative from the perspective of our management on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect our future results. Our MD&A includes the following sections:
Overview - a general description of our business, our operating segments, the aluminum industry and our critical measures of financial performance;
Seasonality and Management Outlook - a brief discussion of the material trends and uncertainties that may impact our business in the future;
Results of Operations - an analysis and discussion of our consolidated and segment operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013;
Liquidity and Capital Resources - an analysis and discussion of our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, as well as a brief discussion of our current sources of capital; and
Non-GAAP Financial Measures - an analysis and discussion of key financial performance measures, including EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and commercial margin (all defined below), as well as reconciliations to the applicable generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) performance measures, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
This discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes. The discussions of our financial condition and results of operations also include various forward-looking statements about our industry, the demand for our products and services and our projected results. These statements are based on certain assumptions that we consider reasonable. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below, particularly under the caption “Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview
Our Business
We are a global leader in the manufacture and sale of aluminum rolled and extruded products, aluminum recycling and specification alloy manufacturing with locations in North America, Europe and China. Subsequent to the acquisition of Nichols Aluminum, LLC ("Nichols"), we operate more than 40 production facilities worldwide, with 19 production facilities that provide rolled and extruded aluminum products and 24 recycling and specification alloy manufacturing plants. We possess a combination of low-cost, flexible and technically advanced manufacturing operations supported by an industry-leading research and development platform. Our facilities are strategically located to service our customers, which include a number of the



20



world’s largest companies in the aerospace, automotive, transportation, building and construction, containers and packaging and metal distribution industries.
For a majority of our businesses, London Metal Exchange (“LME”) aluminum prices and local premium differentials (referred to as “Midwest Premium” in the U.S. and “Duty Paid/Unpaid Rotterdam” in Europe) serve as the pricing mechanisms for both the aluminum we purchase and the products we sell. Aluminum and other metal costs represented approximately 68% of our costs of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Aluminum prices are determined by worldwide forces of supply and demand and, as a result, aluminum prices are volatile. Average LME aluminum prices per ton for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were $1,708 and $2,001, respectively, which represents a decrease of approximately 15%.
Our business model strives to reduce the impact of aluminum price fluctuations on our financial results and protect and stabilize our margins, principally through pass-through pricing (market-based aluminum price plus a conversion fee), tolling arrangements (conversion of customer-owned material) and derivative financial instruments.
As a result of utilizing LME aluminum prices and local premium differentials to both buy our raw materials and to sell our products, we are able to pass through aluminum price changes in the majority of our commercial transactions. Consequently, while our revenues can fluctuate significantly as LME aluminum prices change, we would expect a less significant impact of these price changes on our profitability. Approximately 85% of our rolled products sales for the year ended December 31, 2013 were generated from aluminum pass-through arrangements. In addition to using LME prices to establish our invoice prices to customers, we use derivative financial instruments to further reduce the impacts of changing aluminum prices. Derivative financial instruments are entered into at the time fixed prices are established for aluminum purchases or sales, on a net basis, and allow us to fix the margin to be realized on our long-term contracts and on short-term contracts where selling prices are not established at the same time as the physical purchase price of aluminum. However, as we have elected not to account for our derivative financial instruments as hedges for accounting purposes, changes in the fair value of our derivative financial instruments are included in our results of operations immediately. These changes in fair value (referred to as “unrealized gains and losses”) can have a significant impact on our pre-tax income in the same way LME aluminum prices can have a significant impact on our revenues. In assessing the performance of our operating segments, we exclude these unrealized gains and losses, electing to include them only at the time of settlement to better match the period in which the underlying physical purchases and sales affect earnings.
Although our business model strives to reduce the impact of aluminum price fluctuations on our financial results, it cannot eliminate the impact completely. For example, the profitability of our recycling and specification alloy segments is impacted by changes in scrap aluminum prices whose movement may not be correlated to the price we are able to charge our customers. In addition, at times the profitability of our RPNA segment is impacted by changes in scrap aluminum prices whose movement may not be correlated to movements in LME prices. Furthermore, certain segments are exposed to variability in the local premium differential charged by industry participants to deliver aluminum from the smelter to the manufacturing facility, such as the Midwest Premium. This premium differential cannot be hedged and fluctuates in relation to several conditions, including the extent of warehouse financing transactions, which limit the amount of physical metal flowing to consumers and increases the price differential as a result. In addition to impacting the price we pay for the raw materials we purchase, our customers may be reluctant to place orders with us during times of uncertainty in the pricing of the Midwest Premium or Duty Paid/Unpaid Rotterdam. Such uncertainty with respect to the Midwest Premium has been a concern in recent months as changes in LME warehousing rules are being contemplated and Midwest Premiums have reached unprecedented levels.
For additional information on the key factors impacting our profitability, see “– Our Segments” and “– Critical Measures of Our Financial Performance,” below.
Our Segments
We report six operating segments based on the organizational structure that we use to evaluate performance, make decisions on resource allocations and perform business reviews of financial results. The Company’s operating segments (each of which is considered a reportable segment) are:
Rolled Products North America (“RPNA”);
Rolled Products Europe (“RPEU”);
Rolled Products Asia Pacific (“RPAP”);
Extrusions;
Recycling and Specification Alloys North America (“RSAA”); and



21



Recycling and Specification Alloys Europe (“RSEU”).
In addition to analyzing our consolidated operating performance based upon revenues and EBITDA (defined below in “– Critical Measures of our Financial Performance”), we measure the performance of our operating segments utilizing segment income and loss, segment Adjusted EBITDA and commercial margin. Segment income and loss includes gross profits, segment specific realized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments, segment specific other income and expense, segment specific selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses and an allocation of certain regional and global functional SG&A expenses. Segment income and loss excludes provisions for and benefits from income taxes, restructuring items, interest, depreciation and amortization, unrealized and certain realized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments, corporate general and administrative costs, start-up expenses, gains and losses on asset sales, currency exchange gains and losses on debt and certain other gains and losses. Intersegment sales and transfers are recorded at market value. Consolidated cash, net capitalized debt costs, deferred tax assets and assets related to our headquarters offices are not allocated to the segments.
Segment Adjusted EBITDA eliminates from segment income and loss the impact of recording inventory and other items at fair value through purchase accounting and metal price lag, which represents the financial impact of the timing difference between when aluminum prices included within our revenues and aluminum purchase prices included in our cost of sales are established, net of the impact of our hedging activities. Commercial margin represents revenues less the hedged cost of metal, or the raw material costs included in our cost of sales, net of the impact of our hedging activities and the effects of metal price lag. Segment Adjusted EBITDA and commercial margin are non-GAAP financial measures that have limitations as analytical tools and should be considered in addition to, and not in isolation, or as a substitute for, or as superior to, our measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Management uses segment Adjusted EBITDA in managing and assessing the performance of our business segments and overall business and believes that segment Adjusted EBITDA provides investors and other users of our financial information with additional useful information regarding the ongoing performance of the underlying business activities of our segments, as well as comparisons between our current results and results in prior periods. Management also uses commercial margin as a performance metric and believes that it provides useful information regarding the performance of our segments because it measures the price at which we sell our aluminum products above the hedged cost of the metal and the effects of metal price lag, thereby reflecting the value-added components of our commercial activities independent of aluminum prices which we cannot control.
For additional information regarding non-GAAP financial measures, see “– Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
Rolled Products North America
Our RPNA segment consists of 11 manufacturing facilities located throughout the United States that produce rolled aluminum and coated products. Our RPNA segment produces rolled products for a wide variety of applications, including building and construction, distribution, transportation, and other uses in the consumer durables general industrial segments. Except for depot sales, which are for standard size products, substantially all of our rolled aluminum products in the U.S. are manufactured to specific customer requirements, using direct-chill, continuous ingot cast and pellet compaction technologies that allow us to use and offer a variety of alloys and products for a number of end-uses. Specifically, those products are integrated into, among other applications, building panels, truck trailers, gutters, appliances and recreational vehicles.



22



Segment metric tons invoiced, segment revenues, segment commercial margin, segment income and segment Adjusted EBITDA, along with the related reconciliations, are presented below:
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
 
Change
 
% Change
Rolled Products North America
 
(dollars in millions, except per ton measures, volume in thousands of tons)
Segment metric tons invoiced

86.3


94.8

 
(8.5
)
 
(9.0
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment revenues

$
261.3


$
314.3

 
$
(53.0
)
 
(16.9
)%
Hedged cost of metal

(151.6
)

(197.7
)
 
46.1

 
(23.3
)
Favorable metal price lag

(3.7
)

(0.1
)
 
(3.6
)
 
*

Segment commercial margin

$
106.0


$
116.5

 
$
(10.5
)
 
(9.0
)%
Segment commercial margin per ton invoiced
 
$
1,228.4

 
$
1,228.7

 
$
(0.3
)
 
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment income

$
26.9


$
23.5

 
$
3.4

 
14.5
 %
Favorable metal price lag

(3.7
)

(0.1
)
 
(3.6
)
 
*

Segment Adjusted EBITDA (1)

$
23.2


$
23.4

 
$
(0.2
)
 
(0.9
)%
Segment Adjusted EBITDA per ton invoiced
 
$
269.3

 
$
246.3

 
$
23.0

 
9.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
*
Result is not meaningful.
(1)
Amounts may not foot as they represent the calculated totals based on actual amounts and not the rounded amounts presented in this table.
Rolled Products Europe
Our RPEU segment consists of two rolled aluminum products manufacturing facilities, located in Germany and Belgium, as well as an aluminum casting plant in Voerde, Germany that produces rolling slab and billets used by our RPEU and Extrusions segments. Our RPEU segment produces rolled products for a wide variety of technically sophisticated applications, including aerospace plate and sheet, brazing sheet (clad aluminum material used for, among other applications, vehicle radiators and HVAC systems), automotive sheet, and heat treated plate for engineering uses, as well as for other uses in the transportation, construction and packaging industries. Substantially all of our rolled aluminum products in Europe are manufactured to specific customer requirements using direct-chill ingot cast technologies that allow us to use and offer a variety of alloys and products for a number of technically demanding end-uses.



23



Segment metric tons invoiced, segment revenues, segment commercial margin, segment income and segment Adjusted EBITDA, along with the related reconciliations, are presented below:
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
 
Change
 
% Change
Rolled Products Europe
 
(dollars in millions, except per ton measures, volume in thousands of tons)
Segment metric tons invoiced
 
86.6


89.9

 
(3.3
)
 
(3.7
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment revenues
 
$
354.8


$
369.2

 
$
(14.4
)
 
(3.9
)%
Hedged cost of metal
 
(195.8
)

(215.3
)
 
19.5

 
(9.1
)
Favorable metal price lag
 
(7.9
)

(4.8
)
 
(3.1
)
 
64.6

Segment commercial margin
 
$
151.1


$
149.1

 
$
2.0

 
1.3
 %
Segment commercial margin per ton invoiced
 
$
1,744.4

 
$
1,657.9

 
$
86.5

 
5.2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment income
 
$
38.1


$
38.5

 
$
(0.4
)
 
(1.0
)%
Favorable metal price lag
 
(7.9
)

(4.8
)
 
(3.1
)
 
64.6

Segment Adjusted EBITDA (1)
 
$
30.3


$
33.6

 
$
(3.3
)
 
(9.8
)%
Segment Adjusted EBITDA per ton invoiced
 
$
349.3

 
$
374.1

 
$
(24.8
)
 
(6.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Amounts may not foot as they represent the calculated totals based on actual amounts and not the rounded amounts presented in this table.
Rolled Products Asia Pacific
Our RPAP segment consists of the Zhenjiang rolling mill, a state-of-the-art aluminum rolling mill in China, that produces value-added plate products for the aerospace, engineering, distribution, building and construction, and other transportation industry segments worldwide. We designed the mill with the capability to expand into other high value-added products with a wide variety of technically sophisticated applications. Construction of the mill was substantially complete in 2012 and limited production began in 2013. The mill will continue to incur start-up expenses as we increase volume to full production and are qualified by our aerospace customers. These start-up expenses represent operating losses incurred while the mill is ramping up production, as well as expenses associated with obtaining certifications to produce aircraft plate. Substantially all of our rolled aluminum products in China will be manufactured to specific customer requirements using direct-chill ingot cast technologies that allow us to use and offer a variety of alloys and products for a number of technically demanding end-uses.



24



Segment metric tons invoiced, segment revenues, segment commercial margin, segment loss and segment Adjusted EBITDA, along with the related reconciliations, are presented below:
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
 
Change
 
% Change
Rolled Products Asia Pacific
 
(dollars in millions, except per ton measures, volume in thousands of tons)
Segment metric tons invoiced
 
2.3

 
0.1

 
2.2

 
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment revenues
 
$
10.0

 
$
0.7

 
$
9.3

 
*
Hedged cost of metal
 
(10.0
)
 
(1.0
)
 
(9.0
)
 
*
Segment commercial margin
 
$

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
0.3

 
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment loss
 
$

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
0.3

 
*
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
 
$

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
0.3

 
*
 
 
 
 
 
*
Result is not meaningful.
Segment loss and segment Adjusted EBITDA exclude start-up operating losses and expenses, as well as depreciation expense during the start-up period. Total start-up expenses were $6.5 million and $8.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Total depreciation expense was $6.1 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Extrusions
Our Extrusions segment produces medium and hard alloy extruded aluminum profiles targeted at demanding applications. Our extruded aluminum products are used for the aerospace, automotive, building and construction, electrical, mechanical engineering and other transportation (rail and shipbuilding) industries. The extruded products business includes five extrusion facilities located in Germany, Belgium and China. Industrial extrusions are made in all locations and the production of extrusion systems, including building systems, is concentrated in Vogt, Germany. Large extrusions and project business serving rail and other transportation sectors are concentrated in Bonn, Germany and Tianjin, China, with rods and hard alloys produced in Duffel, Belgium. The extrusion plant in Bonn operates one of the largest extrusion presses in Europe, which is mainly used for long and wide sections for railway, shipbuilding and other applications. In addition, we perform value-added fabrication to most of our extruded products.



25



Segment metric tons invoiced, segment revenues, segment commercial margin, segment income and segment Adjusted EBITDA, along with the related reconciliations, are presented below:
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
 
Change
 
% Change
Extrusions
 
(dollars in millions, except per ton measures, volume in thousands of tons)
Segment metric tons invoiced
 
19.1


17.4

 
1.7

 
9.8
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment revenues
 
$
93.3


$
89.0

 
$
4.3

 
4.8
 %
Hedged cost of metal
 
(50.7
)

(49.9
)
 
(0.8
)
 
1.6

Favorable metal price lag
 
(0.5
)

(0.6
)
 
0.1

 
(16.7
)
Segment commercial margin
 
$
42.1


$
38.5

 
$
3.6

 
9.4
 %
Segment commercial margin per ton invoiced
 
$
2,210.9

 
$
2,211.8

 
$
(0.9
)
 
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment income
 
$
3.0


$
3.0

 
$

 
 %
Favorable metal price lag
 
(0.5
)

(0.6
)
 
0.1

 
(16.7
)
Segment Adjusted EBITDA (1)
 
$
2.6


$
2.4

 
$
0.2

 
8.3
 %
Segment Adjusted EBITDA per ton invoiced
 
$
133.9

 
$
137.1

 
$
(3.2
)
 
(2.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Amounts may not foot as they represent the calculated totals based on actual amounts and not the rounded amounts presented in this table.
Recycling and Specification Alloys North America
Our RSAA segment includes aluminum melting, processing and recycling activities, as well as our specification alloy manufacturing business, located in North America. Our North American recycling business consists of 18 facilities located in the United States, Canada and Mexico. This segment’s recycling operations convert scrap and dross (a by-product of melting aluminum) and combine these materials with other alloying agents as needed to produce recycled aluminum generally for customers serving end-uses related to automotive, consumer packaging, steel, transportation and construction. The segment’s specification alloy operations combine various aluminum scrap types with hardeners and other additives to produce alloys with chemical compositions and specific properties, including increased strength, formability and wear resistance, as specified by customers for their particular applications. Our specification alloy operations typically deliver products in molten or ingot form to customers principally in the North American automotive industry. A significant percentage of this segment’s volume is sold through tolling arrangements, in which we convert customer-owned scrap and dross and return the recycled metal in ingot or molten form to our customers for a fee.



26



Segment metric tons invoiced, segment revenues, segment commercial margin, segment income and segment Adjusted EBITDA, along with the related reconciliations, are presented below (for the periods presented below, there were no reconciling items between segment income and segment Adjusted EBITDA):
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
 
Change
 
% Change
Recycling and Specification Alloys North America
 
(dollars in millions, except per ton measures, volume in thousands of tons)
Segment buy and sell metric tons invoiced
 
93.3

 
95.6

 
(2.3
)
 
(2.4
)%
Segment toll metric tons invoiced
 
113.0

 
121.6

 
(8.6
)
 
(7.1
)
Segment metric tons invoiced
 
206.3

 
217.2

 
(10.9
)
 
(5.0
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment revenues
 
$
235.2


$
238.4

 
$
(3.2
)
 
(1.3
)%
Hedged cost of metal
 
(164.2
)

(168.6
)
 
4.4

 
(2.6
)
Segment commercial margin
 
$
71.0


$
69.8

 
$
1.2

 
1.7
 %
Segment commercial margin per ton invoiced
 
$
344.2

 
$
321.5

 
$
22.7

 
7.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment income
 
$
9.0


$
10.4

 
$
(1.4
)
 
(13.5
)%
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
 
9.0


10.4

 
(1.4
)
 
(13.5
)
Segment Adjusted EBITDA per ton invoiced
 
43.4

 
48.0

 
(4.6
)
 
(9.6
)
Recycling and Specification Alloys Europe
We are a leading European recycler of aluminum scrap and magnesium through our RSEU segment. Our recycling operations primarily convert aluminum scrap, dross and other alloying agents as needed and deliver the recycled metal and specification alloys in molten or ingot form to our customers. Our European recycling business consists of six facilities located in Germany, Norway and Wales. Our RSEU segment supplies specification alloys to the European automobile industry and serves other European aluminum industries from its plants. The segment’s specification alloy operations combine various aluminum scrap types with hardeners and other additives to produce alloys with chemical compositions and specific properties, including increased strength, formability and wear resistance, as specified by customers for their particular applications. The segment’s recycling operations typically service other aluminum producers and manufacturers, generally under tolling arrangements, where we convert customer-owned scrap and dross and return the recycled metal to our customers for a fee.
Segment metric tons invoiced, segment revenues, segment commercial margin, segment income and segment Adjusted EBITDA, along with the related reconciliations, are presented below (for the periods presented below, there were no reconciling items between segment income and segment Adjusted EBITDA):
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
 
Change
 
% Change
Recycling and Specification Alloys Europe
 
(dollars in millions, except per ton measures, volume in thousands of tons)
Segment buy and sell metric tons invoiced
 
46.6

 
52.6

 
(6.0
)
 
(11.4
)%
Segment toll metric tons invoiced
 
49.1

 
42.2

 
6.9

 
16.4

Segment metric tons invoiced
 
95.7

 
94.8

 
0.9

 
0.9
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment revenues
 
$
143.3


$
155.7

 
$
(12.4
)
 
(8.0
)%
Hedged cost of metal
 
(93.0
)

(108.8
)
 
15.8

 
(14.5
)
Segment commercial margin
 
$
50.3


$
46.9

 
$
3.4

 
7.2
 %
Segment commercial margin per ton invoiced
 
$
525.9

 
$
495.0

 
$
30.9

 
6.2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment income
 
$
4.3


$
3.3

 
$
1.0

 
30.3
 %
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
 
4.3


3.3

 
1.0

 
30.3

Segment Adjusted EBITDA per ton invoiced
 
45.3

 
34.3

 
11.0

 
32.1




27



The Aluminum Industry
The overall aluminum industry consists of primary aluminum producers, aluminum casters, extruders, sheet producers, aluminum recyclers and integrated companies that are present across multiple stages of the aluminum production chain. Primary aluminum is commodity traded and priced daily on both the LME and the Shanghai Futures Exchange ("SHFE"). Most primary aluminum producers are engaged in the mining of bauxite ore and refining of the ore into alumina. Alumina is then smelted to form aluminum ingots and billets. Ingots and billets are further processed by aluminum sheet manufacturers and extruders to form plate, sheet and foil and extrusions profiles, or they are sold to aluminum traders or to the commodity markets. Aluminum recyclers produce aluminum in molten or ingot form.
We participate in select segments of the aluminum fabricated products industry, including rolled and extruded products; we also recycle aluminum and produce aluminum specification alloys. We do not smelt aluminum, nor do we participate in other upstream activities, including mining bauxite or processing alumina. Our industry is cyclical and is affected by global economic conditions, industry competition and product development. Compared to several substitute metals, aluminum is lightweight, has a high strength-to-weight ratio and is resistant to corrosion. Also, aluminum is somewhat unique in that it can be recycled repeatedly without any material decline in performance or quality, which delivers both energy and capital investment savings relative to the cost of smelting primary aluminum.
Critical Measures of Our Financial Performance
The financial performance of our operating segments are the result of several factors, the most critical of which are as follows:
volumes;
commercial margins; and
cash conversion costs.
The financial performance of our businesses is determined, in part, by the volume of metric tons invoiced and processed. Increased production volume will result in lower per unit costs, while higher invoiced volumes will result in additional revenue and associated margins. As a significant component of our revenue is derived from aluminum prices that we generally pass through to our customers, we measure the performance of our segments based upon a percentage of commercial margin and commercial margin per ton in addition to a percentage of revenue and revenue per ton. Commercial margin removes the hedged cost of the metal we purchase and metal price lag (defined below) from our revenue. Commercial margins capture the value-added components of our business and are impacted by factors, including rolling margins (the fee we charge to convert aluminum in our rolled products and extrusions businesses), changes in local pricing premiums, toll fees, product yields from our manufacturing process, the value-added mix of products sold and scrap spreads, which management are able to influence more readily than aluminum prices and, therefore, provide another basis upon which certain elements of our segments’ performance can be measured.
Although our conversion fee-based pricing model is designed to reduce the impact of changing primary aluminum prices, we remain susceptible to the impact of these changes and changes in premium differentials on our operating results. This exposure exists because we value our inventories under the first-in, first-out method, which leads to the purchase price of inventory typically impacting our cost of sales in periods subsequent to when the related sales price impacts our revenues. This lag will, generally, increase our earnings in times of rising primary aluminum prices and decrease our earnings in times of declining primary aluminum prices.
Our exposure to changing primary aluminum prices and premium differentials, both in terms of liquidity and operating results, is greater for fixed price sales contracts and other sales contracts where aluminum price changes are not able to be passed along to our customers. In addition, our rolled products and extrusions operations require that a significant amount of inventory be kept on hand to meet future production requirements. This base level of inventory is also susceptible to changing primary aluminum prices and premium differentials to the extent it is not committed to fixed price sales orders.
In order to reduce these exposures, we focus on reducing working capital and offsetting future physical purchases and sales. We also utilize various derivative financial instruments designed to reduce the impact of changing primary aluminum prices on these net physical purchases and sales and on inventory for which a fixed sale price has not yet been determined. Our risk management practices reduce but do not eliminate our exposure to changing primary aluminum prices and cannot reduce our exposure to changing premium differentials. While we have limited our exposure to unfavorable primary aluminum price



28



changes, we have also limited our ability to benefit from favorable price changes. Further, our counterparties may require that we post cash collateral if the fair value of our derivative liabilities exceed the amount of credit granted by each counterparty, thereby reducing our liquidity. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, no cash collateral was posted.
We refer to the difference between the price of primary aluminum included in our revenues and the price of aluminum impacting our cost of sales, net of realized gains and losses from our hedging activities, as “metal price lag.” Metal price lag will, generally, increase our earnings and net income and loss attributable to Aleris Corporation before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) in times of rising primary aluminum prices and decrease our earnings and EBITDA in times of declining primary aluminum prices. We seek to reduce this impact through the use of derivative financial instruments. We exclude metal price lag from our determination of Adjusted EBITDA because it is not an indicator of the performance of our underlying operations. We exclude the impact of metal price lag from our measurement of commercial margin to more closely align the metal prices inherent in our sales prices to those included in our cost of sales. The impact of metal price lag is not significant in our recycling and specification alloy operations as we are able to match physical purchases with physical sales, maintain low levels of inventories and conduct a substantial amount of our business on a toll basis, as discussed below.
In addition to rolling margins and product mix, commercial margins of our rolled products business are impacted by the differences between changes in the prices of primary and scrap aluminum, as well as the availability of scrap aluminum, particularly in our RPNA segment where aluminum scrap is used more frequently than in our European operations. As we price our product using the prevailing price of primary aluminum but purchase large amounts of scrap aluminum to produce our products, we benefit when primary aluminum price increases exceed scrap price increases. Conversely, when scrap price increases exceed primary aluminum price increases, our commercial margin will be negatively impacted. The difference between the price of primary aluminum and scrap prices is referred to as the “scrap spread” and is impacted by the effectiveness of our scrap purchasing activities, the supply of scrap available and movements in the terminal commodity markets, such as the LME price of aluminum.
The commercial margins of our recycling and specification alloy operations are impacted by the fees we charge our tolling customers to process their metal and by “metal spreads” which represent the difference between the purchase price of the scrap aluminum we buy and our selling prices. While an aluminum commodity market for scrap exists in Europe, there is no comparable market that is widely-utilized commercially in North America. As a result, scrap prices in North America tend to be determined regionally and are significantly impacted by supply and demand. While scrap prices may trend in a similar direction as primary aluminum prices, the extent of price movements is not highly correlated and can cause unpredictable movements in metal spreads.
Our operations are labor intensive and also require a significant amount of energy (primarily natural gas and electricity) be consumed to melt scrap or primary aluminum and to re-heat and roll aluminum slabs into rolled products. As a result, we incur a significant amount of fixed and variable labor and overhead costs which we refer to as conversion costs. Conversion costs excluding depreciation expense, or cash conversion costs, on a per ton basis are a critical measure of the effectiveness of our operations.
Revenues and margin percentages for our recycling and specification alloy operations are subject to fluctuations based upon the percentage of customer-owned metric tons tolled or processed. Increased processing under such tolling agreements results in lower revenues and generally also results in higher gross profit margins and net income margins. Tolling agreements subject us to less risk of changing metal prices and reduce our working capital requirements. Although tolling agreements are beneficial to us in these ways, the percentage of our metric tons able to be processed under these agreements is limited by the amount of metal our customers own and their willingness to enter into such arrangements.
Seasonality and Management Outlook
Certain of our rolled and extruded products and recycling and specification alloy end-uses are seasonal. Demand in the rolled and extruded products business is generally stronger in the spring and summer seasons due to higher demand in the building and construction industry. Our recycling and specification alloy business experiences greater demand in the spring season due to stronger demand from the automotive industry and demand from customers serving the beverage can industry. Such factors typically result in higher operating income in our second and third quarters, followed by our first and fourth quarters.



29



We estimate second quarter 2014 segment income and Adjusted EBITDA will be sequentially higher than the first quarter of 2014 and in line with the second quarter of 2013. Factors influencing anticipated second quarter 2014 performance include:
typical seasonality and improved building and construction volumes;
demand for auto body sheet is expected to continue to increase which should drive further profitability and partially offset the impact of lower aerospace volume;
improved metal spreads in specification alloys; and
low LME prices will keep pressure on scrap spreads and competitive imports are negatively impacting margins in the second quarter of 2014.
Capital expenditures during the second quarter of 2014 are expected to be lower than the second quarter of 2013 and consistent with first quarter of 2014 as our capital spending has returned to more normalized levels. We currently estimate capital spending of $165 million in 2014.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were approximately $1.1 billion. Lower aluminum prices and rolling margins more than offset higher regional Midwest Premium differentials and decreased revenues by approximately $63.0 million. In addition, a 3% decrease in volume resulted in a decrease in revenues of approximately $35.0 million. The decrease in volume was primarily driven by lower demand for rolled products in North America as harsh winter weather conditions throughout much of the region delayed the start of the building and construction season and the negative impact that the higher Midwest Premium differential had on customer buying patterns. These decreases were partially offset by a 43% increase in demand for auto body sheet in Europe. A weaker U.S. dollar during 2014 increased revenues by approximately $18.0 million and revenues from our RPAP segment increased $9.3 million.
Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $75.1 million compared to $89.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Start-up losses associated with the Zhenjiang rolling mill and higher depreciation expense reduced gross profit by approximately $2.4 million and $5.2 million, respectively. The decrease in volume further reduced gross profit by approximately $4.0 million. Metal price lag, excluding realized gains and losses on metal derivative financial instruments, negatively impacted gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2014 when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013 by an estimated $2.8 million. Higher inflation in employee, energy and freight costs decreased gross profits by approximately $10.0 million, but was partially offset by productivity related savings of approximately $5.0 million generated by our Aleris Operating System (“AOS”) initiatives. Gross profit was favorably impacted in the first quarter of 2014 by the rising Midwest Premium and improved specification alloy metal spreads, which more than offset tighter rolled product scrap spreads in North America and higher slab purchase prices in Europe.
SG&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 of $61.9 million were consistent with the prior year period. Increases in stock-based compensation, employee costs and depreciation expense were offset by lower SG&A-related start-up expenses associated with the Zhenjiang rolling mill.
During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we recorded realized (gains) losses on derivative financial instruments of $(9.8) million and $1.1 million, respectively, and unrealized losses (gains) of $9.3 million and $(10.3) million, respectively. Generally, our realized gains or losses represent the cash paid or received upon settlement of our derivative financial instruments. Unrealized gains or losses reflect the change in the fair value of derivative financial instruments from the later of the end of the prior period or our entering into the derivative instrument as well as the reversal of previously recorded unrealized gains or losses for derivatives that settled during the period.
Further impacting our year-to-date results was a $5.3 million increase in interest expense due to decreased capitalized interest when compared to the prior year period. Other income decreased $1.5 million when compared to the prior year period primarily due to an increase in currency exchange losses, partially offset by insurance proceeds received in 2014 related to a fire at our Richmond, Virginia rolling mill that occurred in 2013.



30



The following table presents key financial and operating data on a consolidated basis for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
 
Change
 
% Change
 
 
(dollars in millions)
Revenues
 
$
1,054.2

 
$
1,110.1

 
$
(55.9
)
 
(5
)%
Cost of sales
 
979.1

 
1,021.1

 
(42.0
)
 
(4
)
Gross profit
 
75.1

 
89.0

 
(13.9
)
 
(16
)
Gross profit as a percentage of revenues
 
7.1
%
 
8.0
%
 
(0.9
)%
 
(11
)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
61.9

 
61.6

 
0.3

 

Restructuring charges
 
0.5

 
0.9

 
(0.4
)
 
*

Gains on derivative financial instruments
 
(0.5
)
 
(9.1
)
 
8.6

 
*

Other operating expense (income), net
 
0.3

 
(1.1
)
 
1.4

 
*

Operating income
 
12.9

 
36.7

 
(23.8
)
 
(65
)
Interest expense, net
 
26.3

 
21.0

 
5.3

 
25

Other income, net
 
(0.4
)
 
(1.9
)
 
1.5

 
(79
)
(Loss) income before income taxes
 
(13.0
)
 
17.6

 
(30.6
)
 
(174
)
Provision for income taxes
 
4.3

 
6.3

 
(2.0
)
 
(32
)
Net (loss) income
 
(17.3
)
 
11.3

 
(28.6
)
 
*

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
0.3

 
0.4

 
(0.1
)
 
*

Net (loss) income attributable to Aleris Corporation
 
$
(17.6
)
 
$
10.9

 
$
(28.5
)
 
*

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total segment income
 
$
81.3

 
$
78.4

 
$
2.9

 
4
 %
Depreciation and amortization
 
(33.2
)
 
(27.2
)
 
(6.0
)
 
22

Corporate general and administrative expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization, start-up expenses and other expenses
 
(15.0
)
 
(11.3
)
 
(3.7
)
 
33

Interest expense, net
 
(26.3
)
 
(21.0
)
 
(5.3
)
 
25

Unallocated (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments
 
(9.3
)
 
10.2

 
(19.5
)
 
(191
)
Unallocated currency exchange losses
 
(1.5
)
 

 
(1.5
)
 
*

Restructuring charges
 
(0.5
)
 
(0.9
)
 
0.4

 
*

Start-up expenses
 
(8.4
)
 
(11.4
)
 
3.0

 
*

Other expense, net
 
(0.1
)
 
0.8

 
(0.9
)
 
(113
)
(Loss) income before income taxes
 
$
(13.0
)
 
$
17.6

 
$
(30.6
)
 
(174
)%
 
 
 
 
 
* Result is not meaningful.



31



Revenues and Metric Tons Invoiced
The following tables present revenues and metric tons invoiced by segment:  
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
 
Change
 
% Change
Revenues:
 
 (dollars in millions, metric tons in thousands)
RPNA
 
$
261.3

 
$
314.3

 
$
(53.0
)
 
(17
)%
RPEU
 
354.8

 
369.2

 
(14.4
)
 
(4
)
RPAP
 
10.0

 
0.7

 
9.3

 
*

Extrusions
 
93.3

 
89.0

 
4.3

 
5

RSAA
 
235.2

 
238.4

 
(3.2
)
 
(1
)
RSEU
 
143.3

 
155.7

 
(12.4
)
 
(8
)
Intersegment revenues
 
(43.7
)
 
(57.2
)
 
13.5

 
*

Consolidated revenues
 
$
1,054.2

 
$
1,110.1

 
$
(55.9
)
 
(5
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Metric tons invoiced:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RPNA
 
86.3

 
94.8

 
(8.5
)
 
(9
)%
RPEU
 
86.6

 
89.9

 
(3.3
)
 
(4
)
RPAP
 
2.3

 
0.1

 
2.2

 
*

Extrusions
 
19.1

 
17.4

 
1.7

 
10

RSAA
 
206.3

 
217.2

 
(10.9
)
 
(5
)
RSEU
 
95.7

 
94.8

 
0.9

 
1

Intersegment shipments
 
(16.6
)
 
(19.3
)
 
2.7

 
*

Total metric tons invoiced
 
479.7

 
494.9

 
(15.2
)
 
(3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
* Result is not meaningful.
The following table presents the estimated impact of key factors that resulted in the 5% decrease in our consolidated first quarter revenues from 2013 to 2014:
 
RPNA
 
RPEU
 
Extrusions
 
RSAA
 
RSEU
 
Consolidated
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
LME / aluminum pass-through
$
(11.0
)
 
(4
)%
 
$
(42.0
)
 
(12
)%
 
$
(7.0
)
 
(8
)%
 
$
(2.0
)
 
(1
)%
 
$
(7.0
)
 
(4
)%
 
$
(69.0
)
 
(6
)%
Commercial price

 

 
2.0

 
1

 

 

 
3.0

 
1

 
1.0

 
1

 
6.0

 

Volume/Mix
(42.0
)
 
(13
)
 
15.0

 
4

 
8.0

 
9

 
(4.0
)
 
(1
)
 
(12.0
)
 
(8
)
 
(35.0
)
 
(3
)
Currency

 

 
10.0

 
3

 
3.0

 
4

 

 

 
5.0

 
3

 
18.0

 
2

Other

 
*
 
0.6

 
*
 
0.3

 
*
 
(0.2
)
 
*
 
0.6

 
*
 
1.3

 
Total
$
(53.0
)
 
(17
)%
 
$
(14.4
)
 
(4
)%
 
$
4.3

 
5
 %
 
$
(3.2
)
 
(1
)%
 
$
(12.4
)
 
(8
)%
 
$
(78.7
)
 
(7
)%
RPAP and intersegment revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
22.8

 
2

Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(55.9
)
 
(5
)%
 
 
 
 
 
* Result is not meaningful.



32



Rolled Products North America Revenues
RPNA revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased $53.0 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013. This decrease was primarily due to the following:
a 9% decrease in shipments and an unfavorable change in the mix of products sold decreased revenues by approximately $42.0 million. The decrease in volume was primarily due to an 18% and 11% reduction in building and construction and distribution volume, respectively, caused by adverse customer reaction to the high Midwest Premium and harsh winter weather in North America in 2014; and
lower LME aluminum prices, partially offset by the higher Midwest Premium, which reduced the average price of aluminum included in our invoiced prices, accounted for approximately $11.0 million of the decrease in revenues.
Rolled Products Europe Revenues
RPEU revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased $14.4 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013. This decrease was due to lower LME aluminum prices, which reduced the average price of aluminum included in our invoiced prices and reduced revenues by approximately $42.0 million.
This decrease was partially offset by the following:
an increase of approximately $15.0 million from an improved mix of products sold which more than offset a 4% decrease in volume. Volumes decreased as a result of reduced shipments of semi-finished plate and sheet to our Zhenjiang rolling mill and shipments from our Voerde, Germany cast house. Excluding these shipments, RPEU volume increased 5% as automotive and heat exchanger demand increased 43% and 11%, respectively, more than offsetting a 7% reduction in aerospace shipments and lower regional plate and sheet demand;
a weaker U.S. dollar, which increased revenues by approximately $10.0 million; and
improved pricing for regional plate and sheet products.
Extrusions Revenues
Revenues from our Extrusions segment for the three months ended March 31, 2014 increased $4.3 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013. This increase was primarily due to a 10% increase in shipments, which increased revenues by approximately $8.0 million, and a weaker U.S. dollar, which increased revenues by approximately $3.0 million. These increases were partially offset by lower LME aluminum prices, which reduced the average price of aluminum included in our invoiced prices and reduced revenues by approximately $7.0 million.
Recycling and Specification Alloys North America Revenues
RSAA revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased $3.2 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013. This decrease was primarily due to a 5% reduction in volume resulting from the harsh winter weather and the idling of our Saginaw, Michigan facility in the fourth quarter of 2013, partially offset by improved automotive demand.
Recycling and Specification Alloys Europe Revenues
RSEU revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased $12.4 million as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013. This decrease was primarily due to the following:
a decreased percentage of buy/sell volume partially offset by a 1% increase in overall volume, resulted in decreased revenues of approximately $12.0 million. The increase in volume was primarily driven by stronger automotive demand, which more than offset a decline in demand from the packaging industry; and
lower selling prices for our products resulting from lower aluminum and specification alloy prices, which decreased revenues by approximately $6.0 million.
These decreases were partially offset by a weaker U.S. dollar, which increased revenues by approximately $5.0 million.



33



Segment Income (Loss) and Gross Profit
For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, segment income or loss and our reconciliation of segment income to gross profit are presented below:
 
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
 
Change
 
% Change
Segment income (loss):
 
(in millions)
RPNA
 
$
26.9

 
$
23.5

 
$
3.4

 
14
 %
RPEU
 
38.1

 
38.5

 
(0.4
)
 
(1
)
RPAP
 

 
(0.3
)
 
0.3

 
*

Extrusions
 
3.0

 
3.0

 

 

RSAA
 
9.0

 
10.4

 
(1.4
)
 
(13
)
RSEU
 
4.3

 
3.3

 
1.0

 
30

Total segment income
 
81.3

 
78.4

 
2.9

 
4

Items excluded from segment income and included in gross profit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
(28.4
)
 
(23.2
)
 
(5.2
)
 
22

Start-up expenses
 
(6.8
)
 
(4.4
)
 
(2.4
)
 
*

Items included in segment income and excluded from gross profit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment selling, general and administrative expenses
 
39.5

 
39.7

 
(0.2
)
 
(1
)
Realized (gains) losses on derivative financial instruments
 
(9.8
)
 
1.1

 
(10.9
)
 
*

Other income, net
 
(0.7
)
 
(2.6
)
 
1.9

 
(73
)
Gross profit
 
$
75.1

 
$
89.0

 
$
(13.9
)
 
(16
)%
 
 
 
 
 
* Result is not meaningful.
Rolled Products North America Segment Income
RPNA segment income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 increased by $3.4 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013. This increase was primarily due to the following:
lower priced inventory was sold in a rising Midwest Premium environment, while scrap spreads tightened as a result of lower LME prices. The net result of these factors increased segment income by approximately $3.0 million; and
favorable metal price lag in 2014 compared to the prior year period, which increased segment income by an estimated $3.6 million.
These increases were partially offset by a 9% reduction in volume and an unfavorable change in the mix of products sold, which resulted in a reduction of segment income of approximately $4.0 million. In addition, higher costs associated with inflation in employee, energy and paint costs were partially offset by productivity related savings primarily related to lower scrap processing costs and improved casting throughput.
Rolled Products Europe Segment Income
RPEU segment income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased by $0.4 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013. This decrease was primarily due to the following:
higher costs for purchased aluminum slabs, which decreased segment income by approximately $3.0 million;
unfavorable currency movements, which decreased segment income by approximately $3.0 million. A weaker U.S. dollar during the first quarter of 2014 reduced margins on the segment’s U.S. dollar-based aerospace and heat exchanger business and decreased the value of the segment's dollar-based working capital. This more than offset the positive impact on the translation of the segment’s results; and



34



higher costs associated with inflation in employee and other conversion costs were partially offset by productivity related savings and lower SG&A costs.
These decreases were partially offset by the following:
an improved mix of products sold, resulting from a 43% increase in auto body sheet demand which more than offset a 7% decrease in aerospace demand, which increased segment income by approximately $1.0 million;
stronger European economic activity, which led to the stabilization of regional plate and sheet pricing in the second half of 2013, and increased segment income by approximately $2.0 million; and
favorable metal price lag in 2014 compared to the prior year period, which increased segment income by an estimated $3.1 million.
Extrusions Segment Income
Extrusions segment income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was consistent with the prior year period as a 10% increase in shipments was driven by improved automotive volumes. Productivity-related savings offset inflation in employee and other cash conversion costs.
Recycling and Specification Alloys North America Segment Income
RSAA segment income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased by $1.4 million compared to the prior year period. The decrease was primarily due to the following:
lower volumes resulting from the harsh winter weather and idling of production at our Saginaw, Michigan facility in the fourth quarter of 2013 reduced segment income by approximately $1.0 million; and
inflation of $3.0 million was not offset by productivity-related savings as the region's harsh winter weather resulted in higher natural gas commodity and delivery prices and also led to operational inefficiencies and lost shipping days in a number of Midwest states.
These decreases were partially offset by continued improvement in metal spreads which increased segment income by approximately $3.0 million.
Recycling and Specification Alloys Europe Segment Income
RSEU segment income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 increased by $1.0 million compared to the prior year period. Slightly higher volumes and improved metal spreads increased segment income by approximately $1.0 million, while productivity related savings were offset by inflation in employee costs.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Consolidated SG&A expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2014 were consistent with the prior year period. The primary offsetting factors were a $3.2 million reduction in SG&A related start-up expenses associated with the Zhenjiang rolling mill, a $1.6 million increase in stock-based compensation expense associated with stock options and restricted stock units granted in January 2014, a $0.7 million increase in depreciation expense and a $0.6 million increase in business development costs, primarily associated with the acquisition of Nichols.



35



Gains and Losses on Derivative Financial Instruments
During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we recorded the following realized (gains) losses and unrealized losses (gains) on derivative financial instruments:
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
Realized (gains) losses
 
(in millions)
Metal
 
$
(8.3
)
 
$
0.9

Natural gas
 
(1.5
)
 
0.2

Unrealized losses (gains)
 
 
 
 
Metal
 
9.5

 
(8.8
)
Natural gas
 
(0.2
)
 
(1.4
)
Total gains
 
$
(0.5
)
 
$
(9.1
)
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we estimate that metal price lag favorably impacted gross profit by approximately $3.7 million while we experienced metal hedge gains of $8.3 million. The resulting $12.0 million of net metal price lag improved our consolidated operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we estimate that metal price lag favorably impacted gross profit by approximately $6.5 million while we experienced metal hedge losses of $0.9 million. The resulting $5.6 million of net metal price lag improved our consolidated operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
Interest Expense, net
Interest expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2014 increased $5.3 million from the comparable period of 2013. The increase in interest expense is due to decreased capitalized interest when compared to the prior year period as the completion of our major capital investments resulted in less interest being capitalized.
Provision for Income Taxes
Our effective tax rates were (33.1)% and 36.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 differed from the federal statutory rate applied to income and losses before income taxes primarily as a result of the mix of income, losses and tax rates between tax jurisdictions and valuation allowances.
We have valuation allowances recorded to reduce certain deferred tax assets to amounts that are more likely than not to be realized. The valuation allowances relate to the potential inability to realize our deferred tax assets associated with amortization and net operating loss carryforwards in the U.S. and depreciations and net operating loss carryforwards in non-U.S. jurisdictions. We intend to maintain our valuation allowances until sufficient positive evidence exists (such as cumulative positive earnings and estimated future taxable income) to support their reversal.
As of March 31, 2014, we had $2.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits. The majority of the gross unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect the annual effective tax rate. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions within the “Provision for income taxes” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. As of March 31, 2014, we had approximately $0.2 million of accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions.
The 2009 through 2013 tax years remain open to examination.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Based on our current and anticipated levels of operations and the condition in our markets and industry, we believe that our cash on hand, cash flows from operations and availability under the ABL Facility and China Loan Facility (each as defined below) will enable us to meet our working capital, capital expenditures, debt service and other funding requirements for the foreseeable future. However, our ability to fund our working capital needs, debt payments and other obligations, and to comply with the financial covenants under our indebtedness, including borrowing base limitations under the ABL Facility, depends on



36



our future operating performance and cash flows and many factors outside of our control, including the costs of raw materials, the state of the overall industry and financial and economic conditions and other factors, including those described under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated in our quarterly and periodic filings. Any future acquisitions, joint ventures or other similar transactions will likely require additional capital and there can be no assurance that any such capital will be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all.
The following discussion provides a summary description of the significant components of our sources of liquidity and long-term debt:
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our net cash provided (used) by operating, investing and financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
Net cash provided (used) by:
 
(in millions)
Operating activities
 
$
27.8

 
$
(55.6
)
Investing activities
 
(47.0
)
 
(95.3
)
Financing activities
 
10.4

 
(1.5
)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Cash flows provided by operating activities were $27.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, which resulted from $33.2 million of cash from earnings, partially offset by a $5.4 million increase in net operating assets. The significant components of the change in net operating assets included increases of $83.5 million, $11.1 million and $90.3 million in accounts receivable, inventories and accounts payable, respectively, as a result of increased seasonal sales volume across most segments when compared to December 2013. Our average days sales outstanding (“DSO”) at March 31, 2014 remained consistent with the DSO at December 31, 2013. However, revenues in the month of March 2014 were approximately $96.5 million higher than the month of December 2013, leading to an increase in accounts receivable. Our average days inventory outstanding ("DIO") and average days payables outstanding (“DPO”) at March 31, 2014 remained consistent with the DIO and DPO at December 31, 2013. The increase in accounts payables resulted from the timing of purchases in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Cash flows used by operating activities were $55.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, which resulted from an $87.6 million increase in net operating assets, partially offset by $32.0 million of cash from earnings. The significant components of the change in net operating assets included increases of $105.5 million, $14.1 million and $52.2 million in accounts receivable, inventories and accounts payable, respectively, as a result of increased seasonal sales volume across most segments when compared to December 2012. Our DSO at March 31, 2013 remained consistent with the DSO at December 31, 2012, however, revenues in the month of March 2013 were approximately $115.0 million higher than the month of December 2012, leading to an increase in accounts receivable. The commencement of operations at the Zhenjiang rolling mill during the quarter led to increased inventory levels and drove a $14.1 million use of operating cash. Our DPO at March 31, 2013 remained consistent with the DPO at December 31, 2012. The increase in payables resulted from increased average inventory levels in connection with the additional sales volume during the first quarter of 2013.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Cash flows used by investing activities were $47.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and included $47.5 million of capital expenditures.
Cash flows used by investing activities were $95.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and included $96.9 million of capital expenditures, primarily on the Zhenjiang rolling mill and the wide auto body sheet expansion project in
Duffel, Belgium.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash flows provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 included $10.0 million of net proceeds from the ABL facility (as defined below).



37



Cash flows used by financing activities were $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
Acquisition of Nichols Aluminum, LLC
On April 1, 2014, we acquired Nichols, a wholly owned subsidiary of Quanex Building Products Corporation, and a producer of aluminum sheet for the transportation, building and construction, machinery and equipment, consumer durables and electrical industries in North America for $110.0 million. The acquisition includes casting and finishing operations at two facilities in Davenport, Iowa, as well as finishing operations in Decatur, Alabama, and Lincolnshire, Illinois.
The acquisition will be accounted for as a business combination, with the purchase price being allocated on a preliminary basis using information available in the second quarter of 2014. The operating results of Nichols will be reported within our RPNA segment from the date of acquisition.
ABL Facility
The amended and restated ABL Facility is a $600.0 million revolving credit facility which permits multi-currency borrowings up to $600.0 million by our U.S. subsidiaries, up to $240.0 million by Aleris Switzerland GmbH (a wholly owned Swiss subsidiary) and up to $15.0 million by Aleris Specification Alloy Products Canada Company (a wholly owned Canadian subsidiary) (the “ABL Facility”). The availability of funds to the borrowers located in each jurisdiction is subject to a borrowing base for that jurisdiction and the jurisdictions in which certain subsidiaries of such borrowers are located. The ABL Facility provides for the issuance of up to $75.0 million of letters of credit as well as borrowings on same-day notice, referred to as swingline loans. As of March 31, 2014, we estimate that the borrowing base would have supported borrowings of $495.7 million. As of March 31, 2014, Aleris International had $10.0 million outstanding under the ABL Facility. After giving effect to the outstanding borrowings and outstanding letters of credit of $40.5 million, Aleris International had $445.2 million available for borrowing as of March 31, 2014.
Borrowings under the ABL Facility bear interest at a rate equal to the following, plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.75% to 2.50%:
in the case of borrowings in U.S. dollars, a LIBOR rate or a base rate determined by reference to the higher of (1) Bank of America’s prime lending rate, (2) the overnight federal funds rate plus 0.5% or (3) a eurodollar rate determined by Bank of America plus 1.0%;
in the case of borrowings in euros, a euro LIBOR rate determined by Bank of America; and
in the case of borrowings in Canadian dollars, a Canadian prime rate.
There is no scheduled amortization under the ABL Facility. The principal amount outstanding will be due and payable in full at maturity, on June 29, 2016, unless extended pursuant to the credit agreement.
The ABL Facility is secured, subject to certain exceptions, by a first-priority security interest in substantially all of Aleris International’s current assets and related intangible assets located in the U.S., substantially all of the current assets and related intangible assets of substantially all of our wholly owned domestic subsidiaries, substantially all of the current assets and related intangible assets of the borrower located in Canada and substantially all of the current assets (other than inventory located outside of the United Kingdom) and related intangibles of Aleris Recycling (Swansea) Ltd., and Aleris Switzerland GmbH and certain of its subsidiaries. The borrowers’ obligations under the ABL Facility are guaranteed by certain of our existing and future direct and indirect subsidiaries.
The credit agreement governing the ABL Facility contains a number of covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, impose restrictions on Aleris International and certain of our subsidiaries, including without limitation restrictions on its ability to incur additional debt, pay dividends and make certain payments, create liens, merge, consolidate or sell assets, or enter into affiliate transactions, among other things.
Although the credit agreement governing the ABL Facility generally does not require us to comply with any financial ratio maintenance covenants, if the amount available under the ABL Facility is less than the greater of (x) $45.0 million or (y) 12.5% of the lesser of (i) the total commitments or (ii) the borrowing base under the ABL Facility at any time, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of at least 1.0 to 1.0 will apply. The credit agreement also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default. Aleris International was in compliance with all of the covenants set forth in the credit agreement as of March 31, 2014.



38



Senior Notes
On February 9, 2011, Aleris International issued $500.0 million aggregate original principal amount of 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2018, and on October 14, 2011, Aleris International exchanged the $500.0 million aggregate original principal amount of 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2018 for its new $500.0 million aggregate original principal amount of 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2018 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “7 5/8% Senior Notes”). The 7 5/8% Senior Notes mature on February 15, 2018.
On October 23, 2012, Aleris International issued $500.0 million aggregate original principal amount of 7 7/8% Senior Notes due 2020, and on January 31, 2013, Aleris International exchanged the $500.0 million aggregate original principal amount of 7 7/8% Senior Notes due 2020 for $500.0 million of its new 7 7/8% Senior Notes due 2020 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “7 7/8% Senior Notes” and, together with the 7 5/8% Senior Notes, the “Senior Notes”). The 7 7/8% Senior Notes mature on November 1, 2020.
The Senior Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by us and each of our subsidiaries that guarantees Aleris International’s obligations under the ABL Facility. The indentures governing the Senior Notes contain a number of customary covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, impose restrictions on Aleris International and certain of our subsidiaries, including without limitation restrictions on its ability to incur additional debt, pay dividends and make certain payments, create liens, merge, consolidate or sell assets, or enter into affiliate transactions, among other things.
Exchangeable Notes
In connection with Aleris International’s emergence from bankruptcy, it issued $45.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6% senior subordinated exchangeable notes (the “Exchangeable Notes”). The Exchangeable Notes are the unsecured, senior subordinated obligations of Aleris International and are scheduled to mature on June 1, 2020. Since June 1, 2013, the Exchangeable Notes are exchangeable (at each holder’s option) for our common stock at a rate equivalent to 59.63 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the Exchangeable Notes (after adjustment for the payments of three dividends in 2011 and one dividend in 2013). The Exchangeable Notes may currently be redeemed at Aleris International’s option.
China Loan Facility
Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Aleris Aluminum (Zhenjiang) Co., Ltd. ("Aleris Zhenjiang") maintains a loan agreement comprised of non-recourse multi-currency secured term loan facilities and a revolving facility (collectively, the “China Loan Facility”). The China Loan Facility consists of a $30.6 million U.S. dollar term loan facility, an RMB 993.5 million (or equivalent to approximately $161.2 million) term loan facility (collectively referred to as the “Zhenjiang Term Loans”) and an RMB 410.0 million (or equivalent to approximately $66.5 million) revolving facility that provides Aleris Zhenjiang with a working capital line of credit (referred to as the “Zhenjiang Revolver”). In March 2013, the Zhenjiang Revolver was amended to, among other things, increase the borrowing capacity from RMB 232.8 million (or equivalent to $37.8 million) to RMB 410.0 million (or equivalent to $66.5 million). The interest rate on the term U.S. dollar facility is six month U.S. dollar LIBOR plus 5.0% and the interest rate on the term RMB facility and the Zhenjiang Revolver is 110% of the base rate applicable to any loan denominated in RMB of the same tenor, as announced by the People’s Bank of China. As of December 31, 2013, the full amount of the Zhenjiang Term Loans was drawn. The final maturity date for all borrowings under the China Loan Facility is May 18, 2021.
The China Loan Facility contains certain customary covenants and events of default. The China Loan Facility requires Aleris Zhenjiang to, among other things, maintain a certain ratio of outstanding term loans to invested equity capital. In addition, Aleris Zhenjiang is restricted from, subject to certain exceptions, repaying loans or distributing dividends to stockholders, disposing of assets, providing third party guarantees, or entering into additional financing to expand the capacity of the project, among other things.
Aleris Zhenjiang was in compliance with all of the covenants set forth in the China Loan Facility as of March 31, 2014. Aleris Zhenjiang has had delays in its ability to make timely draws of amounts committed under the China Loan Facility in the past and we cannot be certain that Aleris Zhenjiang will be able to draw all amounts committed under the Zhenjiang Revolver in the future or as to the timing or cost of any such draws.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report our financial results in accordance with GAAP. However, our management believes that certain non-GAAP performance measures, which we use in managing the business, may provide investors with additional meaningful comparisons



39



between current results and results in prior periods. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, segment Adjusted EBITDA, commercial margin and segment commercial margin are examples of non-GAAP financial measures that we believe provide investors and other users of our financial information with useful information.
Management uses EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, segment Adjusted EBITDA, commercial margin and segment commercial margin, as performance metrics and believes these measures provide additional information commonly used by holders of the Senior Notes and parties to the ABL Facility with respect to the ongoing performance of our underlying business activities, as well as our ability to meet our future debt service, capital expenditures and working capital needs. In addition, EBITDA with certain adjustments is a component of certain covenants under the indentures governing the Senior Notes. Adjusted EBITDA, including the impacts of metal price lag, is a component of certain financial covenants under the credit agreement governing the ABL Facility. Management also uses commercial margin, including segment commercial margin, as a performance metric and believes that it provides useful information regarding the performance of our segments because it measures the price at which we sell our aluminum products above the hedged cost of the metal and the effects of metal price lag, thereby reflecting the value-added components of our commercial activities independent of aluminum prices which we cannot control.
Our EBITDA calculations represent net income and loss attributable to Aleris Corporation before interest income and expense, provision for and benefit from income taxes and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA excluding metal price lag, reorganization items, unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments, restructuring items, the impact of recording inventory and other items at fair value through purchase accounting, currency exchange gains and losses on debt, stock-based compensation expense, start-up expenses, and certain other gains and losses. Segment Adjusted EBITDA represents Adjusted EBITDA on a per segment basis. EBITDA as defined in the indentures governing the Senior Notes also limits the amount of adjustments for cost savings, operational improvement and synergies for the purpose of determining our compliance with such covenants. Adjusted EBITDA as defined under the ABL Facility also limits the amount of adjustments for restructuring charges incurred after the Emergence Date and requires additional adjustments be made if certain annual pension funding levels are exceeded. Commercial margin represents revenues less the hedged cost of metal and the effects of metal price lag. Segment commercial margin represents commercial margin on a per segment basis.
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, segment Adjusted EBITDA, commercial margin and segment commercial margin, as we use them may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. We calculate EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and segment Adjusted EBITDA by eliminating the impact of a number of items we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operating performance and certain other items. You are encouraged to evaluate each adjustment and the reasons we consider it appropriate for supplemental analysis. However, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, segment Adjusted EBITDA, commercial margin and segment commercial margin are not financial measurements recognized under GAAP, and when analyzing our operating performance, investors should use EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, segment Adjusted EBITDA, commercial margin and segment commercial margin in addition to, and not as an alternative for, net income and loss attributable to Aleris Corporation, operating income and loss, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP, or in addition to, and not as an alternative for, cash flow from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, segment Adjusted EBITDA, commercial margin and segment commercial margin have limitations as analytical tools, and they should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for, or superior to, our measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. These limitations include:
They do not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
They do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs;
They do not reflect interest expense or cash requirements necessary to service interest expense or principal payments under the ABL Facility, the Senior Notes or the Exchangeable Notes;
They do not reflect certain tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us;
Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, including segment Adjusted EBITDA, do not reflect cash requirements for such replacements; and



40



Other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate these measures differently and, as the number of differences in the way companies calculate these measures increases, the degree of their usefulness as a comparative measure correspondingly decreases.
In addition, in evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, including segment Adjusted EBITDA, it should be noted that in the future we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in the below presentation. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, including segment Adjusted EBITDA, should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
For reconciliations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and commercial margin to their most directly comparable financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP, see the tables below. For a reconciliation of segment Adjusted EBITDA to segment income and a reconciliation of segment commercial margin to segment revenues, which are the most directly comparable financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP, for each of the Rolled Products North America, Rolled Products Europe, Rolled Products Asia Pacific, Extrusions, Recycling and Specification Alloys North America and Recycling and Specification Alloys Europe segments, see the reconciliations in “– Our Segments.”




41



For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, our reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net (loss) income attributable to Aleris Corporation and net cash provided (used) by operating activities is presented below.  
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
 
(in millions)
Adjusted EBITDA

$
59.2


$
64.5

Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments

(9.3
)

10.3

Restructuring charges
 
(0.5
)
 
(0.9
)
Unallocated currency exchange losses on debt



(0.5
)
Stock-based compensation expense

(4.2
)

(2.7
)
Start-up expenses

(8.4
)

(11.4
)
Favorable metal price lag

12.0


5.6

Other

(2.6
)

0.5

EBITDA

46.2


65.4

Interest expense, net

(26.3
)

(21.0
)
Provision for income taxes

(4.3
)

(6.3
)
Depreciation and amortization

(33.2
)

(27.2
)
Net (loss) income attributable to Aleris Corporation

(17.6
)

10.9

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

0.3


0.4

Net (loss) income

(17.3
)

11.3

Depreciation and amortization

33.2


27.2

Provision for deferred income taxes

0.5


1.0

Stock-based compensation expense

4.2


2.7

Unrealized losses (gains) on derivative financial instruments

9.3


(10.3
)
Currency exchange losses on debt

0.3


0.4

Amortization of debt issuance costs

2.0


1.9

Other

1.1


(2.1
)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:




Change in accounts receivable

(83.5
)

(105.5
)
Change in inventories

(11.1
)

(14.1
)
Change in other assets

2.3


(12.0
)
Change in accounts payable

90.3


52.2

Change in accrued liabilities

(3.5
)

(8.3
)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

$
27.8


$
(55.6
)
For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, our reconciliation of revenues to commercial margin is as follows:
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
 
(in millions)
Revenues
 
$
1,054.2

 
$
1,110.1

Hedged cost of metal
 
(621.6
)
 
(683.9
)
Favorable metal price lag
 
(12.0
)
 
(5.6
)
Commercial margin
 
$
420.6

 
$
420.6

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires our management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date



42



of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the valuation of inventory, property and equipment and intangible assets, allowances related to doubtful accounts, income taxes, pensions and other postretirement benefits and environmental liabilities. Our management bases its estimates on historical experience, actuarial valuations and other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
A summary of our significant accounting policies and estimates is included in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 14, 2014 for the year ended December 31, 2013. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies or estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Off-Balance Sheet Transactions
We had no off-balance sheet arrangements at March 31, 2014.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about us and the industry in which we operate and beliefs and assumptions made by our management. Statements contained in this document that are not historical in nature are considered to be forward-looking statements. They include statements regarding our expectations, hopes, beliefs, estimates, intentions or strategies regarding the future. The words “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “target,” “project,” “look forward to,” “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith, and we believe we have a reasonable basis to make these statements through our management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties, but there can be no assurance that our management’s expectations, beliefs or projections will result or be achieved.
The forward-looking statements set forth in this document regarding, among other things, future costs and prices of commodities, production volume, industry trends, anticipated cost savings, demand for our products and services, anticipated benefits from new products or facilities, projected results of operations, achievement of production efficiencies, capacity expansions, estimates of volume, revenues, profitability and net income in future quarters, future prices and demand for our products, and estimated cash flows and sufficiency of cash flows to fund capital expenditures, reflect only our expectations regarding these matters. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statement. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
our ability to successfully implement our business strategy;
the cyclical nature of the aluminum industry, material adverse changes in the aluminum industry or our end-use segments, such as global and regional supply and demand conditions for aluminum and aluminum products, and changes in our customers’ industries;
our ability to fulfill our substantial capital investment requirements;
variability in general economic conditions on a global or regional basis;
our ability to retain the services of certain members of our management;
our ability to enter into effective metal, natural gas and other commodity derivatives or arrangements with customers to manage effectively our exposure to commodity price fluctuations and changes in the pricing of metals, especially London Metal Exchange-based aluminum prices;
our internal controls over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures may not prevent all possible errors that could occur;
increases in the cost of raw materials and energy;
the loss of order volumes from any of our largest customers;
our ability to retain customers, a substantial number of whom do not have long-term contractual arrangements with us;
our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to fund our capital expenditure requirements and to meet our debt service obligations;
competitor pricing activity, competition of aluminum with alternative materials and the general impact of competition in the industry segments we serve;



43



risks of investing in and conducting operations on a global basis, including political, social, economic, currency and regulatory factors;
current environmental liabilities and the cost of compliance with and liabilities under health and safety laws;
labor relations (i.e., disruptions, strikes or work stoppages) and labor costs;
our levels of indebtedness and debt service obligations, including changes in our credit ratings, material increases in our cost of borrowing or the failure of financial institutions to fulfill their commitments to us under committed credit facilities;
our ability to access credit or capital markets;
the possibility that we may incur additional indebtedness in the future; and
limitations on operating our business as a result of covenant restrictions under our indebtedness and our ability to pay amounts due under the Senior Notes.
The above list is not exhaustive. Some of these factors and additional risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be different from those expressed or implied in our written or oral forward-looking statements may be found in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” included therein.
These factors and such other risk factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also harm our results. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, us. Given these uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document. Except to the extent required by law, we do not undertake, and specifically decline any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of such statements to reflect future events or developments.

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
In the ordinary course of our business, we are exposed to earnings and cash flow volatility resulting from changes in the prices of aluminum, and, to a lesser extent, hardeners such as zinc and copper, and natural gas, as well as changes in currency and interest rates. For metal hedges, we use derivative instruments, such as forwards, futures, options, collars and swaps to manage the effect, both favorable and unfavorable, of such changes. For electricity and some natural gas price exposures, fixed price commitments are used.
Derivative contracts are used primarily to reduce uncertainty and volatility and cover underlying exposures and are held for purposes other than trading. Our commodity and derivative activities are subject to the management, direction and control of our Risk Management Committee, which is composed of our Chief Financial Officer and other officers and employees that the Chief Executive Officer designates. The Risk Management Committee reports to the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, which has supervisory authority over all of its activities.
We are exposed to losses in the event of non-performance by the counterparties to the derivative contracts discussed below. Although non-performance by counterparties is possible, we do not currently anticipate any nonperformance by any of these parties. Counterparties are evaluated for creditworthiness and risk assessment prior to our initiating contract activities. The counterparties’ creditworthiness is then monitored on an ongoing basis, and credit levels are reviewed to ensure that there is not an inappropriate concentration of credit outstanding to any particular counterparty.
Metal Hedging
Aluminum ingots, copper and zinc are internationally produced, priced and traded commodities, with the LME being the primary exchange. As part of our efforts to preserve margins, we enter into forward, futures and options contracts. For accounting purposes, we do not consider our metal derivative instruments as hedges and, as a result, changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recorded immediately in our consolidated operating results.



44



The selling prices of the majority of the orders for our rolled and extruded products are established at the time of order entry or, for certain customers, under long-term contracts. As the related raw materials used to produce these orders can be purchased several months or years after the selling prices are fixed, margins are subject to the risk of changes in the purchase price of the raw materials used for these fixed price sales. In order to manage this transactional exposure, LME future or forward purchase contracts are purchased at the time the selling prices are fixed. As metal is purchased to fill these fixed price sales orders, LME futures or forwards contracts are then sold.
We also maintain a significant amount of inventory on-hand to meet anticipated and unpriced future sales. In order to preserve the value of this inventory, LME future or forward contracts are sold at the time inventory is purchased. As sales orders are priced, LME futures or forwards contracts are purchased. These derivatives generally settle within three months.
We can also use call option contracts, which function in a manner similar to the natural gas call option contracts discussed below, and put option contracts for managing metal price exposures. Option contracts require the payment of a premium which is recorded as a realized loss upon settlement or expiration of the option contract. Upon settlement of a put option contract, we receive cash and recognize a related gain if the LME closing price is less than the strike price of the put option. If the put option strike price is less than the LME closing price, no amount is paid and the option expires. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had 0.2 million metric tons and 0.2 million metric tons of metal buy and sell forward contracts, respectively.
Natural Gas Hedging
To manage the price exposure for natural gas purchases, we can fix the future price of a portion or all of our natural gas requirements by entering into financial hedge contracts.
We do not consider our natural gas derivative instruments as hedges for accounting purposes and as a result, changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recorded immediately in our consolidated operating results. Under these contracts, payments are made or received based on the differential between the monthly closing price on the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) and the contractual hedge contract price. We can use a combination of call option contracts and put option contracts for managing the exposure to increasing natural gas prices while maintaining the benefit from declining prices. Upon settlement of call option contracts, we receive cash and recognize a related gain if the NYMEX closing price exceeds the strike price of the call option. If the call option strike price exceeds the NYMEX closing price, no amount is received and the option expires. Upon settlement of a put option contract, we pay cash and recognize a related loss if the NYMEX closing price is lower than the strike price of the put option. If the put option strike price is less than the NYMEX closing price, no amount is paid and the option expires unexercised. Option contracts require the payment of a premium which is recorded as a realized loss upon settlement or expiration of the option contract.
Natural gas cost can also be managed through the use of cost escalators included in some of our long-term supply contracts with customers, which limits exposure to natural gas price risk. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had 1.9 trillion and 2.9 trillion, respectively, of British thermal unit forward buy contracts.
Fair Values and Sensitivity Analysis
The following table shows the fair values of outstanding derivative contracts at March 31, 2014 and the effect on the fair value of a hypothetical adverse change in the market prices that existed at March 31, 2014:
 
 
 
 
Impact of
(in millions)
 
Fair
 
10% Adverse
Derivative
 
Value
 
Price Change
Metal
 
$
(13.3
)
 
$
3.1

Natural gas
 
0.6

 
(0.8
)
The disclosures above do not take into account the underlying commitments or anticipated transactions. If the underlying items were included in the analysis, the gains or losses on our derivative instruments would be offset by gains and losses realized on the purchase of the physical commodities. Actual results will be determined by a number of factors outside of our control and could vary significantly from the amounts disclosed. For additional information on derivative financial instruments, see Note 11, “Derivative and Other Financial Instruments,” to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report on Form 10-Q.



45



Currency Exchange Risks
The financial condition and results of operations of some of our operating entities are reported in various currencies and then translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rate for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements. As a result, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against these currencies will have a negative impact on reported revenues and operating profit, while depreciation of the U.S. dollar against these currencies will generally have a positive effect on reported revenues and operating profit. In addition, a portion of the revenues generated by our international operations are denominated in U.S. dollars, while the majority of costs incurred are denominated in local currencies. As a result, appreciation in the U.S. dollar will have a positive impact on earnings while depreciation of the U.S. dollar will have a negative impact on earnings.
Interest Rate Risks
As of March 31, 2014, approximately 85% of our debt obligations were at fixed rates. We are subject to interest rate risk related to the ABL Facility and China Loan Facility, to the extent borrowings are outstanding under these facilities. As of March 31, 2014, Aleris International had $10.0 million of borrowings under the ABL Facility and Aleris Zhenjiang had $191.8 million of borrowings under the China Loan Facility. Due to the fixed-rate nature of the majority of our debt, there would not be a significant impact on our interest expense or cash flows from either a 10% increase or decrease in market rates of interest.
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
During the fiscal period covered by this report, the Company’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, completed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based upon this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the fiscal period covered by this report, the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal first quarter ended March 31, 2014, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings.
We are a party from time to time to what we believe are routine litigation and proceedings considered part of the ordinary course of our business. We believe that the outcome of such existing proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
There have been no material changes to the risk factors included in the Risk Factors section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
None.
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.



46



Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures.
  None.
Item 5.
Other Information.
None.
Item 6.
Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number
  
Description
 
 
 
10.1
 
Amendment to Aleris Holding Company (n/k/a Aleris Corporation) 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, effective as of January 15, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Aleris Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-173721), filed January 22, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference).
 
 
 
10.2
 
Amendment to Aleris Holding Company (n/k/a Aleris Corporation) 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, effective as of January 21, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Aleris Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-173721), filed January 22, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference).
 
 
 
10.3
 
Form of Amendment to Employment Agreement by and among Aleris International, Inc. (with respect to Messrs. Stack, Clegg and Weidenkopf), Aleris Switzerland GmbH (with respect to Mr. Baan), Aleris Corporation and each of Sean M. Stack, Christopher R. Clegg, Thomas W. Weidenkopf and Roeloff IJ. Baan (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Aleris Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-173721), filed January 22, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference).
 
 
 
10.4
 
Aleris Corporation 2010 Equity Incentive Plan 2014 Stock Option Award Agreement, dated January 15, 2014, between Aleris Corporation and Steven Demetriou (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Aleris Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-173721), filed January 22, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference).
 
 
 
10.5
 
Form of Aleris Corporation 2010 Equity Incentive Plan Executive Stock Option Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Aleris Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-173721), filed January 22, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference).
 
 
 
10.6
 
Form of Aleris Corporation 2010 Equity Incentive Plan Executive Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to Aleris Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-173721), filed January 22, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference).
 
 
 
10.7
 
Form of Aleris Corporation 2010 Equity Incentive Plan Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to Aleris Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-173721), filed January 22, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference).
 
 
 
10.8
 
Form of Aleris Corporation 2010 Equity Incentive Plan Management Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Aleris Corporation's Amendment to the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No 333-173721), filed on April 21, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
 
 
10.9
 
Form of Aleris Corporation 2010 Equity Incentive Plan Management Option Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Aleris Corporation's Amendment to the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-173721), filed on April 21, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
 
 
31.1
  
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Aleris Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer.
 
 
31.2
  
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Aleris Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer.
 
 
32.1
  
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
*101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
*101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
*101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
*101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
*101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 
 
 



47



*
Filed herewith, XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.



48




SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ALERIS CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 15, 2014
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/    ERIC M. RYCHEL        
 
 
 
 
 
Name:
 
Eric M. Rychel
 
 
 
 
 
Title:
 
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)



49